Maxwell staff told ‘see nothing, say nothing’
THE massage table on which Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have sexually abused underage girls was brought into a New York courtoom on Friday, making Ghislaine Maxwell squirm in her seat on the fifth day of her ongoing sex trafficking trial.
Last night, in a dramatic climax to proceedings Epstein’s personal green leather massage table, seized from the master bathroom of his Palm Beach mansion, was set up in front of the jury.
The green foldable table was seized in 2005 as police raided his home in connection with alleged sex offences against children. As it was unfolded, Ms Maxwell, just feet away, sat bolt upright, looking uncomfortable.
Palm Beach police officer Michael Dawson also confirmed that a photo showing a box of sex toys labelled “twin torpedos” had also been taken from an upstairs wardrobe.
The court has heard claims from one accuser saying she was abused by Epstein and Ms Maxwell while just 14 years old in Epstein’s master bathroom. Virginia Roberts, who is not one of the four accusers in this case, was also alleged to have been summoned to the house and abused by Epstein. She also claims to have been forced to have sex with Prince Andrew – a claim he denies. Ms Maxwell, facing six charges related to child sex trafficking, has pleaded not guilty.
In earlier testimony from Epstein’s longtime housekeeper, Juan Alessi, Ms Maxwell is alleged to have told staff to “see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing” in a painstakingly detailed household manual for employees at Epstein’s Florida home.
The 58-page document written by the British socialite told employees to respond to compliments by saying they “enjoy doing it”, to anticipate Ms Maxwell and Epstein’s needs, and never speak to guests at the financier’s six-bedroom home unless addressed first.
It also included guidelines around how full tubes of toothpaste should be kept, what temperature the bathroom should be and where in a bedroom a gun should be stored.
“There were many, many, many rules,” said Juan Alessi, a 71-year-old former house manager who worked for Epstein for more than 10 years, during his testimony for the prosecution during Ms Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial.
He described the orders as “degrading” and, in court yesterday, likened his 18-hour days to “slavery”.
In the manual, excerpts of which were read in court, Ms Maxwell wrote that staff were not to speak to Epstein’s guests, “except to answer a question directed at you”. “Respect their privacy,” it added. “Remember that you see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.”
One-and-a-half pages were dedicated to “proper language”, with employees
‘Provide your service then ask “is there anything else I might do for you”, and if not, leave the room’
ordered not to use slang, such as “yeah”, “you bet”, “gotcha”, and “I dunno” when speaking to guests.
If they received a compliment, the manual stated, they should reply: “Thank you, Ms ___ . I enjoy doing it.” Or alternatively, “You are very kind.”
Upon entering a room, they were told they should “provide your service, then ask: “Is there anything else I might do for you,’ and if not, leave the room.”
At all times, workers should “try to anticipate the needs of Mr Epstein, Ms Maxwell and their guests”.
Employees were also ordered “never” to disclose the “activities or whereabouts” of Epstein or Ms Maxwell “to anyone” who called at the house.
Ms Maxwell’s toothpaste had to be replaced once half had been used, and tissues when more than two thirds had been used. In the master bedroom, the manual said, a gun should always be placed in the bedside table drawer.
The guide also laid out exactly how Epstein and Ms Maxwell liked their breakfast and the temperature she liked her bathroom – 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). Epstein’s cars should all be left with a $100 bill in the glove box or centre console, it added. “They run the house like a five-star hotel,” Mr Alessi said during his testimony on Thursday. He added that the demands of work meant he had to work from 5am until 9pm or 10pm most days. He eventually quit in 2002, cit
ing extreme stress and ill-health.
Ms Maxwell’s defence team wanted to stop the manual from being presented at trial. In a court filing weeks ago, they said the document “reflects a lifestyle that many jurors may find offensive”.
She denies all the charges. During jury selection, each prospective juror was asked if they held any bias towards wealthy people who had “luxurious lifestyles”. None answered yes.
Yestreday, before proceedings began at the federal court in Manhattan, Ms Maxwell’s lawyers unsuccessfully tried to have images of partially clothed prepubescent girls found by police at Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion struck off the evidence list.