Judge unseals Epstein documents

NEW YORK — A Manhattan federal judge ordered the unsealing Thursday of dozens of documents about Jeffrey Epstein’s underage sex trafficking scheme, but an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell vowed to appeal because the papers could impact her right to a fair trial.

The documents are part of a sprawling, mostly secret civil lawsuit brought by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. Judge Loretta Preska is overseeing the methodical process of determining which papers should be made public.

Among the documents she ordered be unsealed: depositions of Maxwell and Giuffre, as well as one of a man identified as “John Doe 1.”

Giuffre has said Epstein loaned her to Prince Andrew for sex while she was underage. Giuffre also claims she had sex with Epstein attorney Alan Dershowitz. Both men deny the allegations.

Maxwell attorney Laura Menninger’s appeal means the new documents may not be unsealed within a week as Preska ordered.

President Donald Trump was criticized earlier this week for offered warm words for Maxwell when he was asked about the case.

“I just wish her well, frankly,” Trump said at a White House briefing.

“I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach,” the president said, referring to the Florida town where his Mara-lago resort is.

In another development, Epstein’s palatial mansions in Manhattan ($88 million) and Palm Beach ($22 million) will be listed for sale for a combined $110 million.

The proceeds will go to Epstein’s estate, which recently opened a compensation fund for his alleged victims.

Information from the New York Daily News, The New York Times and The Associated Press was included in this story.