Maxwell accused of playing ‘critical role’ in helping Epstein groom and exploit victims
GHISLAINE Maxwell has been accused of playing a “critical role” in Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls, as investigators said they would welcome a statement from the Duke of York in relation to the scandal.
Maxwell, who faces charges over her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of girls by the disgraced financier, was detained in New Hampshire yesterday.
Acting US attorney for the southern district of New York Audrey Strauss said that Maxwell, the daughter of late media mogul Robert Maxwell, had helped Epstein “identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse”.
Announcing the charges, Ms Strauss told a press conference yesterday that authorities would “welcome” a statement from the Duke of York in relation to the investigation.
Maxwell has previously denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of sexual misconduct by her former boyfriend and longtime associate Epstein, who took his own life in prison last year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Ms Strauss claimed that Maxwell had helped Epstein to exploit underage girls — some as young as 14-years-old — and “in some cases” would participate in the abuse herself.
“Maxwell was among Epstein’s closest associates and helped him exploit girls who were as young as 14-years-old,” she told reporters.
“Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse.”
One of Epstein’s alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre, claims Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Prince Andrew at the socialite’s London townhouse. She has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and alleges the duke had sex with her on three soccasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.
Andrew denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre. Ms Strauss called on him to speak with investigators regarding the Epstein case.
“I’m not going to comment on anyone’s status in this investigation but I will say that we would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us, we would like to have the benefit of his statement,” Ms Strauss told reporters.
But a source close to the duke’s
❝ There will be a press conference today to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell
working group said his lawyers have twice communicated with the US Department of Justice in the past month.
“The duke’s team remains bewildered given that we have twice communicated with the DOJ in the last month and to date we have had no response,” the source said.