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Ghislaine Maxwell- Case Archive
personpersonLara PomerantzLara PomerantzAssistant United States attorney and member of the prosecution team in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.← All People
Prosecution· U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Lara Pomerantz

Assistant United States attorney and member of the prosecution team in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.

AppearedFederal Criminal Trial
1,758 lines·39 proceedings

About

Presented the government's opening statement, describing its allegation that Maxwell and Epstein recruited, groomed, and sexually exploited teenage girls and identifying anticipated testimony, photographs, and records.

Pomerantz conducted direct examination of Lisa Rocchio, Kate, Stephen Flatley, and Annie Farmer. She also conducted redirect examination of Kate, Annie Farmer, and David James Mulligan, and questioned Cimberly Espinosa about her work from Epstein's Madison Avenue office and her lack of visits to his Palm Beach house.

Her cross-examination of defense memory expert Elizabeth Loftus addressed Loftus's criminal consulting, compensation, public profile, and research. The court limited that questioning by barring a link to a named high-profile defendant, permitting general inquiry into potential financial incentive from high-profile testimony, and directing that cross-examination not introduce undisclosed expert testimony.

Attorney insights (5)

Federal Criminal Trial41
Focus

In the opening statement, presented the government's allegation that Maxwell and Epstein recruited, groomed, and sexually exploited teenage girls, and identified anticipated testimony and records including flight, FedEx, and camp records.

Supporting record (1)
Focus

Cross-examined defense expert Elizabeth Loftus about her professional work, compensation, and research limits. The court barred a question tying Loftus to a named high-profile defendant, allowed general inquiry into possible financial incentive from high-profile testimony, and limited cross-examination from introducing undisclosed expert testimony.

Supporting record (1)
Credibility challenge

Pomerantz challenged Elizabeth Loftus on her defense-side criminal work, consulting history, hourly rate, public profile, and the limits of her research concerning traumatic memory and childhood sexual abuse.

Supporting record (1)

Trial Record (39)

FederalFederal Criminal TrialNov 29, 2021 – Dec 29, 2021

Presented the government's opening and examined or redirected several witnesses, including Kate and Annie Farmer. She also cross-examined defense memory expert Elizabeth Loftus on consulting, compensation, and research limits.

Day 1

OpeningGovernment Opening Statement2highlights5lines spoken

Summary

The government previewed allegations that Maxwell and Epstein recruited and groomed teenage girls for sexual abuse and identified the testimony and records it expected to offer.

Highlights (2)

Quote“That's what we expect the evidence will show, that the defendant enticed and groomed multiple young girls to engage in sex acts with Jeffrey Epstein, that the defendant and Epstein enticed some of those girls to travel to Epstein's homes in different states, which the defendant knew would result in sexual abuse.”— Lara PomerantzThis states the government's central preview of the alleged conduct and interstate-travel theory.Open in transcript →
Quote“If you do those three things, you will reach the only verdict that is consistent with the evidence, the law, and your common sense, that Ghislaine Maxwell is guilty.”— Lara PomerantzThe government concluded by asking the jury for a guilty verdict.Open in transcript →
OpeningDefense Opening Statement3lines spoken

Summary

Sternheim previewed a defense centered on memory, witness motives, and reasonable doubt, while Judge Nathan set limits on arguments about the prosecution and sustained one objection.

Day 4

Day 6

DirectKateLara Pomerantz319lines spoken

Summary

Kate testified about meeting Maxwell at 17, being brought to Epstein for massages in London and later traveling to his properties, then addressed her substance-use history, immigration status, and compensation award.

CrossKateBobbi C. Sternheim54lines spoken

Summary

Defense cross-examined Kate about memory, later contact with Jeffrey Epstein, compensation, and immigration issues; the court limited proposed visa and email evidence.

RedirectKateLara Pomerantz31lines spoken

Summary

Kate addressed immigration, public statements, memory, and compensation on redirect, again identifying Maxwell's presence during an event involving Epstein when Kate was 17.

RecrossKateBobbi C. Sternheim8lines spoken

Summary

Defense recross-examined Kate on memory, immigration, and compensation; the court sustained several objections and admitted two redacted defense exhibits under seal.

Day 7

Day 10

Day 11

CrossElizabeth LoftusLara Pomerantz159lines spoken

Summary

The prosecution challenged memory expert Elizabeth Loftus on defense-side work, compensation, and research limits; Judge Nathan restricted one impeachment line but allowed general incentive questions.

Day 19