In brief
On Monday, Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment rights to avoid answering incriminating questions during a video call deposition. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, is under scrutiny as lawmakers investigate how Jeffrey Epstein exploited underage girls. Despite efforts by the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell's attorneys have maintained that she will not respond to inquiries. The committee is also pursuing interviews with notable figures associated with Epstein.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers tried Monday to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, but the former girlfriend and confidante of Jeffrey Epstein invoked her Fifth Amendment rights to avoid answering incriminating questions. Maxwell was to be questioned during a video call to the federal prison camp in Texas where she’s serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. She’s come under new scrutiny as lawmakers attempt to investigate how Epstein, a well-connected financier, was able to sexually abuse underage girls for years. Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted. The deposition comes as lawmakers are searching for anyone connected to Epstein who may have facilitated his abuse. Several Democrats also planned on Monday to review unredacted versions of Epstein's files released by the Department of Justice in compliance with a new law passed by Congress last year. The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell last year, and while her attorneys have consistently indicated she won't answer questions, Republican Chairman Rep. James Comer insisted on conducting the deposition. Comer faces pressure to hold the deposition as he pushes for the committee to enforce subpoenas against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After threatening contempt of Congress charges, both agreed to sit for depositions later this month.
