Ghislaine Maxwell stood trial on six federal counts alleging that she worked with Jeffrey Epstein to recruit, groom, entice, and transport underage girls for sexual activity. The defense argued that the government was trying to hold her responsible for Epstein's conduct, and on Day 19 the jury found her guilty on five counts and not guilty on Count Two.
DefendantDefense
Ghislaine Maxwell
Longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein and defendant in this federal criminal case.
MentionedFederal Criminal Trial
76 proceedings·75 mentions
About
Ghislaine Maxwell faced six federal counts alleging that she worked with Jeffrey Epstein to entice, transport, and sexually exploit underage girls. The government argued that Maxwell used her position as Epstein's close associate and household manager to gain girls' trust, normalize sexual contact through purported massages, and facilitate travel. The defense maintained that her association with Epstein did not establish her knowledge or intent and portrayed her as a scapegoat for his conduct.
Jane testified that she met Maxwell and Epstein at age 14, that Maxwell was present during some alleged encounters, and that Maxwell helped arrange travel. Kate described Maxwell arranging or participating in circumstances surrounding massages; Annie Farmer described receiving a massage from Maxwell during a New Mexico trip at age 16; and Carolyn said she was 13 when she first saw Maxwell and went to Epstein's house. Household and aviation witnesses described Maxwell directing staff, managing properties, helping with flight notifications, and holding a senior place in Epstein's employee hierarchy. Flight records also documented travel involving Maxwell.
The defense challenged witness memories, prior accounts, compensation-fund awards, and the claimed corroboration in travel, telephone, financial, and other records. Former employees Cimberly Espinosa and Michelle Healy described Maxwell as a workplace supervisor; Espinosa said she never observed inappropriate activity involving underage girls, while Healy denied involvement in group sexualized massages or massages through her work. The court instructed jurors that they could not convict Maxwell based on Kate's testimony about sexual conduct between Kate and Epstein or use that testimony as character or propensity evidence. In closing, the defense argued that the government had not proved Maxwell's own participation beyond a reasonable doubt and requested acquittal on every count.
On Day 19, the jury returned guilty verdicts on five counts and a not-guilty verdict on Count Two. The jurors then individually confirmed the verdicts in a unanimous poll.
Trial Record (76)
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