Maxwell Refuses to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions on Epstein During US Hearing

Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has refused to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee, invoking her constitutional right to remain silent.

Maxwell appeared virtually from a Texas prison, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, for a closed-door deposition on Monday. Committee chairman James Comer said Maxwell pleaded the Fifth Amendment, declining to respond to questions about Epstein’s crimes and possible co-conspirators.

Comer expressed disappointment, saying lawmakers were seeking answers for the public and justice for Epstein’s survivors. Democratic lawmakers also criticised Maxwell, accusing her of using the hearing to seek clemency rather than provide meaningful cooperation.

Ahead of the hearing, Maxwell’s lawyer said she would be willing to speak if granted a presidential pardon, a suggestion strongly rejected by lawmakers and survivors. The White House has previously stated that no leniency or pardon is being discussed.

A group of Epstein survivors urged Congress to treat any potential testimony with caution, arguing that Maxwell has repeatedly failed to identify powerful figures linked to Epstein’s trafficking network.

The hearing comes as the US Justice Department releases millions of pages of new files related to the Epstein investigation, with members of Congress now allowed to review unredacted documents.