Jeffrey Epstein friend Ghislaine Maxwell arrested on sex abuse charges

By Karen Freifeld, Mark Hosenball and Sarah N. Lynch

 

FILE PHOTO: Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, speaks at a news conference on oceans and sustainable development at the United Nations in New York, U.S. June 25, 2013 in this screengrab taken from United Nations TV file footage. UNTV/Handout via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and longtime associate of the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested on Thursday on U.S. charges of luring underage girls so that Epstein could sexually abuse them.

 

The FBI arrest of the British socialite is the latest twist in the mystery of Epstein, who went from a high school math teacher to high-flying lifestyle of private Caribbean islands and powerful connections that his victims say allowed him to abuse minors with impunity.

 

Maxwell, 58, was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, where she had been laying low since December, the FBI said.

 

Maxwell appeared briefly by video from jail at a hearing in New Hampshire federal court, where a judge ordered her to face the criminal charges in New York. She did not enter a plea, and bail was not determined.

 

She spoke briefly, answering "yes" when asked if she knew her rights. Her lawyer, Larry Vogelman, declined further comment on her behalf.

 

Prosecutors said she was a flight risk and asked that she be detained without bail. They said she faces up to 35 years in prison.

 

She is charged with four criminal counts related to procuring and transporting minors for illegal sex acts and two of perjury, according to the indictment by federal prosecutors in New York.

 

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said on Thursday Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell played a "critical role" in his sexual abuse of minor girls, as federal prosecutors charged her for her role in an alleged scheme.

 

"Maxwell was among Epstein's closest associates and helped him exploit girls who were as young as 14 years old," said acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss. "Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse. In some cases, Maxwell participated in the abuse herself."

 

Epstein was awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking minors between 2002 and 2005 when he was found hanged in an apparent suicide while in a New York City jail in August. He was 66.

 

Previously, he pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of solicitation of prostitution from a minor in a 2008 deal with prosecutors that was widely criticized as too lenient.

 

The indictment accuses Maxwell of luring the girls beginning in 1994 through 1997 by asking them about their lives, schools and families and taking them shopping or to movies.

 

Strauss called Maxwell's alleged acts "the prequel" to Epstein's abuse.

 

After Maxwell won the girls' trust, the indictment alleges, she would try to "normalize sexual abuse" by discussing sexual topics or by undressing in front of them or being present when they were undressed.

 

Epstein's alleged abuse included touching their genitals, placing sex toys on their genitals and having the girls touch Epstein while he masturbated.

 

Strauss said the abuse took place at Epstein's homes in New York, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Palm Beach, Florida, as well as Maxwell's residence in London.

 

PROSECUTORS SEEK ANSWERS

Epstein has been linked socially to several powerful figures, from President Donald Trump to former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew.

 

In June, then-U.S. Attorney for Manhattan Geoffrey Berman said Prince Andrew was evading their efforts to question him about his contacts with Epstein. Berman was fired later the same month.

 

"We would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us," Strauss said.

 

A source close to Andrew said his team was "bewildered" by Strauss's comments because they have twice communicated with the Department of Justice in the past month without a response.

 

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said in June there were no plans to extradite Andrew.

 

Investigators identified more than 15 bank accounts associated with Maxwell since 2016 with balances during that period that topped $20 million, according to court documents.

 

"For years, I feared Epstein and his ring," Jennifer Araoz, who has accused Maxwell of trafficking her for Epstein, said in a statement. "Today, my fellow Epstein survivors and I are able to take a breath of relief, as Maxwell’s arrest means some justice for survivors can exist."

 

Maxwell, the daughter of late British media magnate Robert Maxwell, has kept a low profile since Epstein's death.

 

She was an Epstein ex-girlfriend who became a longtime member of his inner circle. In a 2003 Vanity Fair article, Epstein was quoted as saying Maxwell was his best friend.

 

Since Epstein's arrest and death last year, questions have arisen over how he built his vast wealth, which exceeded $600 million before the recent stock market slump and included two privately owned Caribbean islands, multiple homes and one of the largest mansions in Manhattan.

 

The case is being handled by prosecutors in the public corruption unit. A spokesman declined to comment on why that unit would handle the case.

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Gabriella Borter in New York; Mark Hosenball and Sarah Lynch in Washington; Michael Holden in London; Writing by Tom Hals; Editing by Scott Malone and Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-03

 

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Surprised she was in a country likely to arrest her.

Indeed. I thought she was in Paris or NZ. Even the super rich can be super stupid!

Anyone seen Prince Andrew this morning?

Her father, Robert Maxwell, died a presumed suicide, and her buddy Epstein, another probable suicide.  Seems like she might be at risk of the same outcome herself.

Headlines in six months:  "Ghislaine Maxwell did not kill herself."

I’ve watched the 4 part documentary of Epstein and whilst not condoning any illegal actions, the women making claims against him are 100% dollar led.

They’d attend a party at one of his mansions and attest to abuse and tell of an escape, then when asked by the interviewer

 “when did you see him again” (Epstein)

They’d say “oh, he rang so I went round again a couple days later”

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 20206 yr by twocatsmac

7 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

Her father, Robert Maxwell, died a presumed suicide, and her buddy Epstein, another probable suicide.  Seems like she might be at risk of the same outcome herself.

You mean disappeared after stealing half a billion from the Mirror pension fund and living on his megayacht from which he just fell off... A fine father figure to this ghastly witch.

49 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Anyone seen Prince Andrew this morning?

I heard he was hanging out in New Zealand for the next few years. ????

I'm busy writing my memoirs, so she says

28 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

I’ve watched the 4 part documentary of Epstein and whilst not condoning any illegal actions, the women making claims against him are 100% dollar led.

They’d attend a party at one of his mansions and attest to abuse and tell of an escape, then when asked by the interviewer

 “when did you see him again” (Epstein)

They’d say “oh, he rang so I went round again a couple days later”

 

 

 

Meanwhile recruiting other girls one of them recruited as many as 50 other girls

8 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Meanwhile recruiting other girls one of them recruited as many as 50 other girls

lol, and no charges for her, she’s claiming to be a victim too (grown woman) and looking for a big payday. 

The whole trial campaign is championed by the anti-men brigade.

 

45 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Headlines in six months:  "Ghislaine Maxwell did not kill herself."

The memes are already out there ????

5 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

lol, and no charges for her, she’s claiming to be a victim too (grown woman) and looking for a big payday. 

The whole trial campaign is championed by the anti-men brigade.

 

The least she should be charged with is, Living off Immoral earnings she knew exactly why she was recruiting girls

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The case is being handled by prosecutors in the public corruption unit. A spokesman declined to comment on why that unit would handle the case.

 

This unit only gets involved when there are public figures involved. Stay tuned for the mass speculation on who that might be. ????

I'll post this from the earlier thread, courtesy of @CGW

Perhaps this arrest explains why AG Barr tried to oust the SDNY AG and replace him with his own hand picked ‘appointee’.

 

Interestingly, Maxwell was arrested by the SDNY Public Corruption Unit’, this strongly suggests her arrest is linked to a case(s) of corruption of someone or some people who hold public office.

 

Oh and Berman, the SDNY AG Billy Barr tried to oust in favor of his own hand picked choice, is testifying before Congress next week.

55 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

I’ve watched the 4 part documentary of Epstein and whilst not condoning any illegal actions, the women making claims against him are 100% dollar led.

They’d attend a party at one of his mansions and attest to abuse and tell of an escape, then when asked by the interviewer

 “when did you see him again” (Epstein)

They’d say “oh, he rang so I went round again a couple days later”

 

 

 

The women who have given testimony against him were children a true the time they were raped and sexually abused.

 

If they received telephone calls from him at that time then they were also children when they received those calls.

 

Do be aware of this when laying your allegations against the child victims of organized sexual abise.

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The women who have given testimony against him were children a true the time they were raped and sexually abused.

 

If they received telephone calls from him at that time then they were also children when they received those calls.

 

Do be aware of this when laying your allegations against the child victims of organized sexual abise.

Alleged child victims, do be aware of this.

Her and Epstein are the epitome of human filth. Her suicide will be a surprise to her, but no one else.

29 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

This unit only gets involved when there are public figures involved. Stay tuned for the mass speculation on who that might be. ????

Not entirely correct.

 

The ‘Public Figures’ need to be holders of public office.

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Not entirely correct.

 

The ‘Public Figures’ need to be holders of public office.

That is what I meant. I should perhaps have been clearer.

37 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Perhaps this arrest explains why AG Barr tried to oust the SDNY AG and replace him with his own hand picked ‘appointee’.

 

Interestingly, Maxwell was arrested by the SDNY Public Corruption Unit’, this strongly suggests her arrest is linked to a case(s) of corruption of someone or some people who hold public office.

 

Oh and Berman, the SDNY AG Billy Barr tried to oust in favor of his own hand picked choice, is testifying before Congress next week.

Congrats, I was going to post about this.

Could it possibly be there are certain persons determined to keep her quiet?  No plea bargains for evidence against other culprits for this one!

 

Perhaps she will be "suicided" while in custody.

 

 

Edited July 3, 20206 yr by bendejo

Well let's hope that this evil woman is not allowed, assisted perhaps, to kill herself prior to trial like here buddy did.  The dirt she must have on some very well known people must have them stretching for an additional pair of underpants or else looking at alternative methods to ensure her silence. 

1 hour ago, Rookiescot said:

Anyone seen Prince Andrew this morning?

He's busy hiding and avoiding eye contact with his wife trying to catch him to stare him down...

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

You mean disappeared after stealing half a billion from the Mirror pension fund and living on his megayacht from which he just fell off... A fine father figure to this ghastly witch.

and don't forget her 2 upstanding brothers.......

2 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

Anyone seen Prince Andrew this morning?

I bet he's sweating now...

Billy and Ghislaine, happy days on the Lolita express.

 

7 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

I bet he's sweating now...

He’s not likely to be a target of an investigation into Corruption in Public Office (the specific duty of the Unit that arrested Maxwell), and even less likely yo Ever set foot in the US again; I suspect he might never again leave the UK.

 

 

Be assured, at least one person holding a Federal public office in the US is indeed sweating.

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 20206 yr by Chomper Higgot

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

This unit only gets involved when there are public figures involved. Stay tuned for the mass speculation on who that might be. ????

That's why dirty Billy Barr tried to install a toady in that office last week.  He knew who they were looking into. ????