Ghislaine Maxwell accused of playing ‘critical role’ in Jeffrey Epstein abuse
Ghislaine Maxwell has been accused of playing a “critical role” in Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls, as investigators said they would welcome a statement from the Duke of York in relation to the scandal.
Maxwell, who faces charges over her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of girls by the disgraced financier, was detained in the US yesterday.
Acting US attorney for the southern district of New York Audrey Strauss said Maxwell, daughter of late media mogul
Robert Maxwell, had helped Epstein “identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse”.
Announcing the charges against Maxwell, Ms Strauss said authorities would “welcome”
a statement from the Duke of York in relation to the investigation. Maxwell has previously denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of sexual misconduct by her former boyfriend and longtime associate Epstein, who took his own life in prison last year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Ms Strauss claimed
Maxwell helped Epstein to exploit underage girls – some as young as 14 years old – and “in some cases” would participate in the abuse herself. “Maxwell was among Epstein’s closest associates and helped him exploit girls who were as young as 14 years old,” she said.
“Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse.”
She said the pair would “take an interest” in the girls, adding: “After developing a rapport with the victims, Maxwell then tried to normalise sexual abuse with a minor victim through a process known as grooming.” Ms Strauss said Maxwellandepstein“enticed” the alleged victims to travel to Epstein’s residences in New York City, Palm Beach in Florida, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
One of Epstein’s alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre, claims Maxwell arranged for her to have sex with Prince Andrew at the socialite’s London townhouse.
Ms Giuffre has claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and alleges the duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – still a minor under US law.
The duke categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre. His lawyers claim the duke has made three offers to give a witness statement to investigators.
Ms Strauss said: “I’m not going to comment on anyone’s status in this investigation, but I will say that we would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us. We would like to have the benefit of his statement.
“I have no further comment beyond what I just said, which is that our doors remain open, as we previously said, and we would welcome him coming in and giving us an opportunity to hear his statement.”
Four of the six charges cover Maxwell’s dealings with Epstein from 1994 to 1997, when she was in an “intimate relationship” with him, according to the indictment.
She is charged with conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Maxwell was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire yesterday.
“...Iwillsaythatwe would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us. We would like to have the benefit of his statement.”