Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite, has been found guilty of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for sexual abuse by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The 60-year-old was convicted on five of six charges, including sex trafficking a minor, after a month-long trial in New York.
The jury deliberated for five days before reaching the verdict, which could see Maxwell spend the rest of her life in prison. She showed no emotion as the verdict was read, merely sipping water. Her legal team immediately announced plans to appeal, asserting her innocence.
Prosecutors argued that Maxwell and Epstein ran a 'pyramid scheme of abuse', with Maxwell receiving $30 million (£22 million) from Epstein between 1999 and 2007. Four women testified about being abused by Epstein between 1994 and 2004, describing Maxwell's role in grooming and facilitating the encounters.
Annie Farmer, one of the victims who testified under her real name, expressed relief at the verdict, stating it 'demonstrates that no one is above the law'. US Attorney Damian Williams commended the bravery of the victims who came forward.
Maxwell has been in custody since July 2020, charged with involvement in Epstein's abuse of teenagers as young as 14. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial. Maxwell, daughter of disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, was acquitted on one count of enticing a minor to travel for illegal sex acts.
