Ghislaine Maxwell Sex Trafficking Case
Ghislaine Maxwell, who wanted to post bail of 28.5 million dollars for release pending trial, is still a "flight risk," ruled New York Judge Alison Nathan. Also fundamental to the decision, she said, were the crimes charged, the burden of proof and the defendant's criminal history.
Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite who's accused of being an accomplice to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, has asked a judge to be released on a proposed $28.5m bail package deal. The request asks for Maxwell to be released in the custody of a private security guard at a New York City residency.
"Ms. Maxwell wants to stay in New York and have her day in court so that she can clear her name and return to her family," so the filing.
According to newly unsealed court documents, Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused underage girls and participated in the sex-trafficking scheme of Jeffrey Epstein.
One victim is quoted to have said that Maxwell "trained me as a sex slave". The documents are part from civil litigation against Maxwell, which was settled in 2015, reveal that Epstein and Maxwell had pressured her into having sex with prominent people such as Prince Andrew, entrepreneurs and US politicians. All accused people have denied the allegations.
The Lincoln Project, an American political action committee formed by Republicans, has released a video ad questioning Donald Trump's relationship to Ghislaine Maxwell, who has recently been charged with crimes of enticement of minors and sex trafficking of children.
The ad was shared Friday to Twitter with the caption "What does Ghislaine Maxwell have on @realDonaldTrump?" and shows Trump berating multiple women while saying about Maxwell "I just wish her well, frankly."
US District Judge Loretta Preska has ruled to unseal case documents involving Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents, which relate to a 2015 defamation case filed by Virginia Giuffre, also include a deposition from Maxwell in which she denies having any knowledge of Epstein's scheme to recruit underage girls for sex.
Maxwell's legal team was given a week to appeal Judge Preska's decision.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a close friend and confidante of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been denied bail and has to remain in custody while awaiting her trial as she's considered an "extreme flight". Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected to go to trial in July 2021.