Ghislaine Maxwell's four-week trial concluded with her conviction on five charges, including sex trafficking of minors, on 29 December 2021. The case centred on her role as enabler to Jeffrey Epstein, luring vulnerable teenage girls for sexual abuse. Prosecutors described a 'pyramid scheme of abuse' where girls recruited others for easy money.
Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz opened by focusing on a victim named Jane, portraying Maxwell as a predator who manipulated girls. The defence, led by Bobbi Sternheim, argued Maxwell was scapegoated for Epstein's crimes, using biblical and James Bond references. Sternheim attacked the credibility of accusers, noting they received payouts from Epstein's victim fund.
Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined $750,000 on 28 June 2022. She was found not guilty on one charge of enticing a minor to travel for illegal sex acts. The trial highlighted the enduring impact of Epstein's network and Maxwell's culpability.
