Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
No laughing matter..
Epstein’s ex-girlfriend wed in secret Andrew’s laughs as pressure grows
US prosecutors told how they revealed Ghislaine Maxwell had secretly married to show she was not being transparent about her life.
The British socialite refused to give any details of her spouse as she was denied bail and ordered to stay behind bars until her trial in July next year.
It is rumoured Maxwell, who once dated Jeffrey Epstein, could now spill the beans on the paedophile’s links to powerful people, including Prince Andrew.
As the FBI began unravelling her secret life, US sources warned any discoveries could have potential implications for the Duke of York.
Andrew, 60, who is locked in talks with lawyers over his friendship with Epstein, appeared unfazed as he emerged laughing from Windsor Castle yesterday.
DETERMINED
But an insider said: “Ghislaine is now under no illusions about what she faces.
“She and her legal team thought there was a real chance she would be granted her freedom until her trial. But yesterday she awoke for the first time knowing she won’t be out for at least a year.
“Naturally, it has brought it home to her as she is well aware just how determined the FBI are to unpick her life while with Epstein.
“Make no mistake though it is not just Andrew who Ghislaine has knowledge off.
“She holds information on world leaders, billionaire businessmen and the royals.
When faced with possibly dying in prison what would anyone do?”
With Maxwell facing up to 35 years in jail if found guilty, there are suggestions in New York legal circles she may begin to open up about what she knows and about who to broker a possible deal.
US prosecutors have already stated they want to talk to Andrew.
On Tuesday, Maxwell appeared in a US court via video link where she denied grooming and abusing girls in charges related to Epstein’s sex trafficking ring during the period 1994 to 1997.
US Attorney Alison Moe revealed the prince’s pal was married as she successfully blocked her bail appeal.
She told New York district judge Alison Nathan the 58-year-old had refused to provide details about her life and name who would co-sign her bond if she was freed while awaiting trial.
Ms Moe said: “In addition to failing to describe in any way the absence of proposed co-signers of a bond, the defendant also makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse whose identity she declined to provide to Pretrial Services.
“There’s no information about who will be co-signing this bond or their assets, and no details whatsoever.”
The prosecutor did not say who she believed Maxwell’s partner was or give any indication as to how long the couple had been married.
Other than her relationship with Epstein, little is known about her love life. During the bail hearing, it was
revealed she and a man posed as a married couple to the estate agent when buying her £800,000 home in New Hampshire. It was paid for in cash in December a month after “Janet and Scott Marshall” viewed it.
They told the estate agent Mr Marshall was ex-british military who was writing a book, while Mrs Marshall was a journalist who just wanted “privacy”.
It was only when the FBI showed the seller a picture of Maxwell did she recognise her as Mrs Marshall.
Agents have been tasked with piecing together Maxwell’s life dating back to the 1990s when she first met Andrew. It includes looking into the access she was given, who she associated with and which, if any, of Epstein’s victims were present.
Prosecutors are understood to want Maxwell to provide her 2001 account of the night Andrew has been accused with sleeping with Virginia Giuffre, then 17, in London – although that is not part of the charges against her. Giuffre has claimed in a civil court she was lent out three times to the duke by Epstein.
The prince has strenuously denied the claims, insisting he has never met his accuser, who he was pictured with.
Following Maxwell’s arrest on July 2, US Attorney General Bill Barr said the duke must speak to the FBI and his team “definitely” want to interview him about his time with Epstein.
He said: “The department wants to talk to Prince Andrew.
“That’s why the Southern District has been making efforts to communicate with him. We’ve made it clear that we’d like to communicate with him.” Officials have accused the royal of providing “zero co-operation”.
But his lawyers hit back, insisting they have repeatedly tried to arrange for the royal to talk with them but have heard nothing back.
It led US attorneys to apply to the Home Office filing a formal Mutual Legal Assistance request to compel Andrew to talk.
Maxwell has long been accused of being the gatekeeper to the secrets the financier took to his grave when he committed suicide last August while awaiting trial for underage sex trafficking.
Epstein was well known to have covertly recorded guests at his homes in New York, Palm Beach, New Mexico and the Caribbean. Andrew stayed at all four of the properties.
The duke also invited the American and Maxwell to Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral.
Maxwell is being held in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given anti-suicide paper clothes.
She holds information on world leaders, billionaires and royals
INSIDER ON RUMOURS MAXWELL WILL TALK