Maxwell Willing to Testify, Contingent on Immunity or Pardon

Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of assisting sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is open to providing information to a congressional committee next month. However, this cooperation is contingent upon either being granted immunity or receiving a pardon. This condition was communicated in a letter from her attorney, obtained by CBS News.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, issued a subpoena to Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. The deposition was scheduled for August 11 at the federal prison in Tallahassee.

In a letter addressed to House Oversight chairman Rep. James Comer, Maxwell's attorney, David Markus, stated her willingness to testify. However, he emphasized that this would only occur after the finalization of certain legal appeals or if she were granted clemency or a pardon by President Trump. Markus argued that questioning Maxwell in prison without immunity would be unacceptable, citing the risk of further criminal exposure in a politically charged environment.

Markus also requested that any questions for Maxwell be provided in advance to ensure accuracy and fairness. He further stated that conducting the deposition in prison would create security risks and undermine the integrity of the process.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in Epstein's crimes. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Markus explained that Maxwell's ongoing appeal to the Supreme Court and other pending legal issues could be compromised by her testimony.

If President Trump were to pardon Maxwell or commute her sentence, Markus wrote that she would be willing to testify openly and honestly before Congress in Washington, D.C. If these conditions are not met, Maxwell would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.

The House Oversight Committee responded that it would address Markus' letter soon but would not consider granting congressional immunity.

The committee is seeking Maxwell's testimony to inform potential legislative solutions to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution and plea agreements in sex-crime investigations.

Todd Blanche, a Justice Department official, met with Maxwell in Tallahassee to discuss Epstein. Markus declined to comment on the substance of the meeting but stated that there were many questions asked.

Neither President Trump nor Markus have ruled out a pardon for Maxwell. Trump stated that he is "allowed" to pardon Maxwell but that he has not been asked to do so.

Separately, Trump stated that he cut ties with Epstein in the early 2000s because Epstein "stole" employees from his business. He reiterated that the employees in question were young women who worked in the spa at Mar-A-Lago.