Others must be held accountable
ACCUSERS of predatory socialite Ghislaine Maxwell have said “others must be held accountable” after she was convicted of sex-trafficking young girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.
Virginia Roberts, also known as Virginia Giuffre, said she had “lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse” and commended the four women who testified against the 60-year-old during her New York trial.
Also giving his reaction to the verdict, a lawyer acting on behalf of “Jane”, who told jurors Maxwell had lured her to an orgy at the age of 14, said he was pleased “the jury has found Ms Maxwell guilty of the heinous crimes she committed against our client.”
Robert Glassman said the defendant and Epstein’s victims could “sleep better tonight knowing that the justice system got it right.”
Roberts, who claims she was forced to have sex with Britain’s Duke of York three times in 2001 and two further times in New York and on Epstein’s private island, said she has “faith” others will now face justice.
Prince Andrew has categorically denied he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Roberts.
In a series of tweets, she said: “My soul yearned for justice for years and today the jury gave me just that. I will remember this day always.”
“Having lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse, my heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed,” she added.
“I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served.
“Maxwell did not act alone,” Roberts asserted. “Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be.”
In a statement posted to Twitter early on Thursday, Maxwell’s family said they were “very disappointed” with the verdict and had already begun the appeal process.
The statement said: “We believe firmly in our sister’s innocence – we are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated.”
Reacting to Maxwell’s conviction on Wednesday, Robert Glassman, the lawyer acting on behalf of accuser “Jane”, said: “We are pleased that the jury has found Ms Maxwell guilty of the heinous crimes she committed against our client, Jane, and the other brave women who had the courage to show up and testify at trial.”
“The verdict screams loud and clear – if you make it easier for another to sexually abuse children, you, too, will be held accountable for your role in that abuse.
“You will be arrested, and you will go to prison.
“The verdict also confirms what we’ve known all along: Jeffrey Epstein did not act alone.
“If it was not for Ms Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein would never have been able to abuse these girls.”
Maria Farmer, the sister of Annie Farmer – who was the only victim to testify under their full name in the trial – said both of them were “sobbing with joy” after Maxwell was convicted.
In a tweet, she later said: “We are proud of one another. I have spent every moment for seven years working towards this verdict.”
Teresa Helm, another of Maxwell’s accusers, told the BBC the predator would “never again have the opportunity to take anything from anyone.”
She said: “Justice takes the lead today. I am consumed with gratitude for every brave, courageous and justice-driven person that has fought for this outcome.”
“Ghislaine Maxwell will never again have the opportunity to take anything from anyone. She will reside on the other side of freedom.
“Us survivors, we go free.” A statement from the US attorney’s office after the verdict was delivered said: “A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable – facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children. Crimes that she committed with her long-time partner and co-conspirator, Jeffrey Epstein.”
“The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done. I want to commend the bravery of the girls – now grown women – who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom. Their courage and willingness to face their abuser made this case, and today’s result, possible.”