NEW YORK, NY – Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer urged her to speak out and defend herself against accusations of being involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation, according to court documents released this week. Philip Barden, Maxwell’s legal representative in the United Kingdom, advised her to avoid “reputational suicide” and not be a “conspirator by silence,” even if Epstein wanted her to stay quiet. The lawyer emphasized the importance of denying the allegations and standing up for her innocence.
Maxwell, who was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding and abetting Epstein’s trafficking of young women and girls, expressed concerns about being linked to high-profile figures such as President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew. She stated that she wanted to avoid litigation and not get lost in the “US legal nightmare.” Despite Maxwell’s hesitation, Epstein emailed her, instructing her to ask the press to investigate whether Clinton had ever visited his properties.
These revelations come from a trove of papers filed in a defamation lawsuit filed against Maxwell by Virginia Giuffre. Although the lawsuit was settled, the documents have been made public, shedding new light on the case. The released documents also mention Prince Andrew, former President Bill Clinton, and physicist Stephen Hawking.
Maxwell’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated that Maxwell is happy about the release of these documents as they support her appeal. He believes that more unsealed documents will demonstrate her wrongful conviction. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
In conclusion, court documents reveal that Maxwell’s lawyer advised her to speak out and defend herself against accusations related to Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. These documents have been made public as part of a defamation lawsuit and mention high-profile figures. Maxwell hopes that the release of more documents will aid in her appeal and prove her wrongful conviction.