Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, has requested a federal judge to overturn her sex trafficking conviction and release her from a 20-year prison sentence. Maxwell claims that new evidence has surfaced, revealing constitutional violations that tainted her trial. She alleges that crucial information was withheld and false testimony was presented during her 2021 trial, resulting in a miscarriage of justice.
The filing, submitted in Manhattan federal court, asserts that post-trial revelations from civil actions, government disclosures, investigative reports, and documents have exposed constitutional violations that undermined the fairness of her trial. Maxwell argues that based on this new evidence, no reasonable juror would have convicted her.
This request comes shortly before the scheduled public release of records in Maxwell’s case due to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Act mandates the U.S. Justice Department to disclose Epstein-related records to the public.
The Justice Department intends to release various investigative materials related to the sex trafficking inquiry, including search warrants, financial records, victim interview notes, and electronic device data. Maxwell, a British socialite, was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 after Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death in 2019.
Maxwell’s attorney has raised concerns about the potential prejudice that could arise from unsealing documents related to her case. However, a federal judge has granted the Justice Department’s request to release these materials to the public.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton has affirmed that he will adhere to the law and judicial directives regarding the disclosure of records. The released materials reportedly do not implicate anyone other than Epstein and Maxwell in sexual contact with a minor.