Ghislaine Maxwell’s Congressional Testimony Delayed by Supreme Court Review
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced a delay in Ghislaine Maxwell‘s deposition until after the U.S. Supreme Court reviews her request to overturn her conviction. This decision follows a letter from Maxwell’s legal team, which claimed she did not receive a fair trial and sought to postpone the deposition scheduled for August 11, 2023.
Comer confirmed in a letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, that the committee had planned to visit a prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to conduct the interview. However, given the Supreme Court’s notice that it will consider Maxwell’s petition for a writ of certiorari on September 29, the committee decided to delay the proceedings. The letter emphasized the committee’s willingness to reschedule after the Court’s determination.
Maxwell’s legal team has expressed concerns regarding her constitutional rights, indicating she would invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid answering questions unless specific conditions were met. These conditions include a request for immunity, conducting the deposition outside of FCI Tallahassee, advance access to the committee’s questions, and resolution of her appeal to the Supreme Court.
In response, Comer denied her requests for immunity and advance questions but stated that the committee is committed to “engaging in good faith negotiations.” He highlighted the importance of Maxwell’s testimony, noting its potential impact on legislative efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements in such investigations.
The decision to issue a subpoena for Maxwell’s testimony came after a unanimous vote from both Republican and Democratic members of the committee in late July. Comer reiterated the significance of her testimony, particularly in relation to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges before his death in 2019. Maxwell was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years in prison for her involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors alongside Epstein.
According to Maxwell’s attorney, any testimony provided now could jeopardize her rights and influence a future jury pool. The attorney’s letter indicated that Maxwell had recently met with federal investigators, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, at the direction of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi expressed a commitment to releasing any credible evidence related to potential crimes against victims.
In light of the developments, Maxwell’s legal team has acknowledged the committee’s decision to delay the deposition. They expressed a willingness to cooperate while ensuring her constitutional rights remain protected. As the investigation continues, the ramifications of Maxwell’s testimony may significantly shape future discussions around sex trafficking legislation and legal reforms.
