What’s going on with Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex abuse trial in NY?

NEW YORK — The prosecution has made its case against Ghislaine Maxwell. Starting Thursday, her defense team takes its turn.

Maxwell, a socialite, has denied allegations from multiple women that she helped the millionaire Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Her lawyers say she’s being wrongly targeted by prosecutors on a vendetta to hold someone accountable after Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial on related sex- abuse charges.

With just days left in Maxwell’s trial, it’s time to take stock of developments.

Who are Ghislaine Maxwell’s accusers?

The prosecution, mounted by the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, hinges on the accusations of four women who say they were teenagers when Maxwell and Epstein sexually exploited them in the 1990s and early 2000s. Three testified under the pseudonyms Jane, Kate and Carolyn. One, Annie Farmer, decided to tell her story publicly.

What was Maxwell up to before her arrest?

Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 — almost a year after Epstein killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. After Epstein’s death, she withdrew from public activities like running an oceans charity. Her whereabouts became a subject of public speculation. Was that her eating a burger and reading a book on CIA operatives in Southern California? Was she living in Britain or Paris or maybe even Massachusetts? Prosecutors say she went into hiding in New Hampshire — where she was eventually arrested — in a million- dollar home where she kept her cellphone wrapped in foil.

Has Maxwell been in jail the entire time?

Yes, despite multiple requests for bail, Maxwell has spent well over a year lodged in federal lockup in Brooklyn. Maxwell has triple citizenship with the U. S., U. K. and France, which does not extradite its citizens. Her attorneys and family have lambasted jail conditions, which they say are punitive and inhospitable to Maxwell’s ability to mount a proper defense.

Is the Maxwell trial on television?

No. It’s in federal court, which doesn’t allow cameras. That’s why all the images from the courtroom are sketched.

When did testimony begin? Nov. 29.

How long is Maxwell’s trial supposed to last?

It was projected to last six weeks, but prosecutors rested much earlier than expected. The defense has yet to present its case, but the whole thing could be over before Christmas.

Will Maxwell testify?

It ’s unclear whether Maxwell will take the stand in her own defense but it’s rare for a defendant to do so.

What exactly was Maxwell’s relationship with Epstein?

They were romantically involved, but at some point — the timeline is unclear — she says she transitioned to being more of an employee, running his households. Prosecutors have accused of her as functioning as Epstein’s madam, procuring underage girls to satisfy him sexually.

Where did Epstein have homes?

Palm Beach; New Mexico; Manhattan; the U. S. Virgin Islands; Paris.

Epstein’s history in Palm Beach

Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in Palm Beach County in July 2008. He admitted he hired local underage girls to provide sex and erotic massages at his home. His sentence has been referred to as a “sweetheart deal” that allowed him lenient work release while he served about 13 months of an 18- month sentence, followed by a year of house arrest.

An investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement focused on former Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer’s decision not to aggressively prosecute sex abuse allegations against Epstein over a decade ago; Epstein’s generous work release privileges in jail; and allegations that Epstein had sex with young women while under the jail’s supervision. The investigation found Epstein received “differential treatment” in jail, but no evidence was uncovered that suggests county officials broke any laws.

What did Epstein do for a living?

He left his teaching career at a tony Manhattan prep school to work at Bear Stearns, an investment bank, and then started his own money- management business. He would not disclose his assets and income even after his July 2019 arrest, but he seems to have built a fortune managing investments for others.

How is Prince Andrew involved in all of this?

He’s not. Not exactly, at least. A woman is suing the British royal, saying he sexually abused her when she was 17. She says Maxwell facilitated her meetings with Andrew, who has denied the account. But the woman’s accusations have been left out of this trial. That lawsuit won’t go to trial until at least late 2022. Andrew’s name has come up in this trial, though: a pilot of Epstein’s private jet, dubbed the “Lolita Express” by the news media, testified he had flown Andrew and an accuser confirmed she told the FBI she had flown with the prince, as well.

Who is Maxwell’s husband?

This is unclear. She was living with him when she was arrested in New Hampshire, but court documents have not made his name public. He did support her bail attempts, but has not been spotted at the trial.

Does Maxwell have any notable supporters?

Her family — the scions of t he l ate publishing magnate, Robert Maxwell — is sticking by her. Two of her siblings, Kevin and Isabel, have attended each day of proceedings. The Maxwells strongly assert the U. S. justice system is making a patsy of their youngest sister. Ghislaine is notably the baby of the family and said to have been the favorite of her father, who died falling off a yacht named for her.

Who is the judge for the trial?

U. S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan, who was recently nominated by President Joe Biden to serve on the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. That promotion is not expected to interfere with proceedings in the Maxwell case.

How has Maxwell been spending her time in jail?

According to a website set up by her family, Maxwell has been making her way through a pile of books. Her reading list rans the gamut of criminal- justice related books like the award- winning “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson to “Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department Justice” by Sidney Powell, a conspiracy theorist and former lawyer for President Donald Trump. She’s also been making her way through Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” fantasy series and popular book club fiction pick “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” by Gail Honeyman.

What exactly is Maxwell charged with?

This ongoing trial revolves around six charges:

1. Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

2. Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

3. Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

4. Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

5. Sex trafficking conspiracy.

6. Sex trafficking of a minor. A superseding indictment in March also charged Maxwell with two counts of perjury, but the judge granted the defense’s request to spin those off into a separate trial.

So there’s more to come?

Regardless of the outcome of this trial, there’s more to come.