Ghislaine Maxwell Refuses to Answer Epstein Questions in U.S. Congress Hearing

Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer a wide range of questions about Jeffrey Epstein and their network during a closed-door deposition with the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Monday. Appearing virtually from the Texas prison where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, Maxwell repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to provide details about Epstein’s operations or any potential co-conspirators.

Committee chair James Comer said the outcome was expected but disappointing, noting that lawmakers had planned to ask extensive questions about the crimes committed by Maxwell and Epstein, and about individuals who may have aided their trafficking scheme. He said the committee aimed to uncover the truth and provide justice for survivors, but Maxwell’s refusal prevented substantive progress.

Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury said Maxwell instead used the session to “campaign for clemency,” echoing comments from Maxwell’s attorney earlier in the day claiming she would fully cooperate only if granted a presidential pardon. Comer emphasized that Epstein survivors believe Maxwell deserves no immunity and that her testimony cannot be trusted without accountability.

In a letter sent before the deposition, a group of Epstein survivors urged lawmakers to be cautious, criticizing Maxwell for refusing to identify “powerful men” linked to Epstein and for years of avoiding meaningful cooperation. They said granting her credibility or leniency would harm victims seeking justice.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein, who died in jail in 2019. She has also sought a pardon from Donald Trump, though the White House has stated that no leniency is being considered. Lawmakers planned to question her on a filing in which she claimed there were four named co-conspirators and 25 others not indicted, as well as her past associations with Trump and Bill Clinton.

A Justice Department transcript from a previous meeting shows Maxwell denied witnessing misconduct by either Trump or Clinton, and insisted there was no Epstein “client list,” despite widespread speculation. Her refusal to answer questions on Monday contrasted sharply with that earlier meeting, prompting concerns from lawmakers about her motives.

The deposition came as the U.S. Department of Justice began releasing nearly three million pages of documents related to the Epstein investigation, following a law requiring their disclosure. Members of Congress can now view un-redacted files in person, and survivors continue to demand full transparency around remaining redactions and unreleased materials.