Washington, United States — Web Desk: Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions before the US Congress House Oversight Committee on Monday, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. However, her legal team said she would be willing to testify publicly if former US President Donald Trump grants her a presidential pardon.
Maxwell, 64, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2021 of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. Appearing via video link, she declined to respond to congressional questions, stating she would remain silent to protect herself from further legal jeopardy.
Her attorney, David Markus, told lawmakers that Maxwell could reveal “the full truth” about Epstein’s network if she receives clemency. He also claimed that both Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton had social ties with Epstein but were not involved in criminal activities.
The hearing comes amid the release of millions of documents related to the Epstein investigation by the US Department of Justice. While many details remain sealed, members of Congress have been granted restricted access to review the files in secure facilities. Several lawmakers have suggested that the redacted material could contain names of high-ranking government officials and influential public figures allegedly linked to Epstein’s crimes.
Maxwell remains the only individual convicted in connection with Epstein’s trafficking network. Epstein himself died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial, sparking ongoing controversy and conspiracy theories.
In a separate development, Congress has reportedly summoned former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to provide testimony regarding their past associations with Epstein, as lawmakers push for greater transparency in one of the most infamous sex-trafficking scandals in modern US history.
The unfolding revelations continue to fuel global debate, with the Epstein files trending worldwide and intensifying pressure on US authorities to disclose more information and hold powerful individuals accountable.
