Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is attempting to have her 20-year prison sentence reduced by former President Donald Trump, according to a whistleblower.
The Clemency Request
A whistleblower has informed Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee that Maxwell is preparing a formal request for Trump to commute her sentence. This claim is supported by an email from Maxwell to her attorney, Leaf Saffian, which was reviewed by NBC News.
The subject line of the email read "commutation application". In the message, Maxwell expressed she was "struggling to keep it all together as it is big and there are so many attachments."
Maxwell, 63, was convicted in 2021 for her role in grooming and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. The disgraced financier died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Allegations of Preferential Treatment
The whistleblower further alleges that Maxwell is receiving "concierge-style" treatment at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, a minimum-security facility for non-violent offenders.
The reported special privileges include:
- Customised meals
- After-hours access to the exercise yard
- Opportunities to interact with a puppy being trained as a service animal
The whistleblower reported that one senior prison staff member complained about the situation, stating he was "sick of having to be Maxwell's b****."
Political Repercussions and Responses
Following the disclosure, House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin has written to Trump urging him not to intervene. "You should not grant any form of clemency to this convicted and unrepentant sex offender," Raskin wrote.
Raskin also demanded that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appear before a public hearing to answer questions about Maxwell's imprisonment and any discussions concerning clemency.
Maxwell's ties to powerful figures have been a central aspect of her case. She maintained a decades-long friendship with Trump and also associated with Prince Andrew, who has denied wrongdoing but stepped back from royal duties following questions about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.
The process for commuting a sentence typically involves the Justice Department reviewing a request and providing a recommendation to the White House. However, presidents retain broad authority to grant or deny clemency regardless of departmental advice.
Trump has previously used clemency powers to assist political allies and prominent associates, drawing criticism from opponents who argue he has shielded individuals aligned with his political interests.
Maxwell was moved to the Texas facility from a higher-security prison in Florida just days after speaking positively about Trump to his deputy attorney general. Her legal team has not responded to requests for comment regarding the latest allegations.
