Ghislaine Maxwell requests bail due to coronavirus risk

London: Ghislaine Maxwell should be released on bail of US$5m (FJ$ 10.79m) while awaiting trial for sex trafficking minors because of the risk of contracting coronavirus in jail, her lawyers have argued.

The British socialite was arrested on July 2 and is accused of assisting convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minors. In documents submitted to New York court, her lawyers said she “vigorously” denies the charges. She faces up to 35 years if convicted.