SUMMARY
- Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer all questions during a House Oversight Committee deposition, citing the Fifth Amendment.
- Lawmakers from both parties criticized the lack of testimony as the committee widens its Epstein investigation.
- The panel plans additional depositions as it seeks information about potential co-conspirators.
WASHINGTON — Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination and refused to answer questions during a virtual deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Monday, according to Chairman James Comer.
The closed door appearance marked the first time Maxwell responded directly to a congressional subpoena tied to the committee’s expanding review of Epstein’s sex trafficking network.
The hearing underscored persistent gaps in public understanding of how Epstein operated for years and who may have enabled him, issues that continue to carry political and legal consequences.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges for recruiting and grooming minor girls for Epstein and is serving a twenty year prison sentence.
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed her for testimony in July 2025 as part of a broader inquiry into Epstein’s associates, financial enablers and the federal government’s handling of earlier investigations.
Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, said Maxwell’s refusal was anticipated after her attorney indicated she would testify only if granted immunity or clemency.
“This obviously is very disappointing,” Comer said, adding that the committee intends to pursue answers through other witnesses and records.
Democrats on the panel sharply criticized the outcome. Rep. Robert Garcia of California said Maxwell “answered no questions and provided no information,” calling for continued scrutiny of her prison treatment and the Justice Department’s decisions.
Legal scholars said Maxwell’s approach aligns with standard defense strategy. “Invoking the Fifth Amendment in a congressional deposition is common when parallel criminal exposure exists,” said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
“Testifying without immunity could jeopardize ongoing appeals or future legal options.” Michael Bromwich, a former Justice Department inspector general, said the committee’s investigation still carries weight even without Maxwell’s cooperation.
“Congress can build a factual record through documents and third party testimony,” he said. “That record can influence oversight reforms and prosecutorial priorities.”
Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, said Maxwell’s attorney indicated she had no evidence implicating President Donald Trump or former President Bill Clinton. Rep.
Suhas Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat, countered that Maxwell’s statements appeared calculated.
He described her demeanor as “unrepentant” and said lawmakers should focus on survivors and accountability.
Outside Congress, survivor advocates emphasized the importance of transparency.
Julie Brown, the Miami Herald reporter whose work helped expose Epstein’s case, said congressional inquiries can still surface institutional failures.
“The question is whether lessons are learned and safeguards strengthened,” Brown said.
The committee has scheduled five additional depositions, including testimony from financier Les Wexner, accountant Richard Kahn and attorney Darren Indyke, all described by Comer as part of Epstein’s inner circle.
Lawmakers have also demanded documents from the Justice Department and Epstein’s estate.
Separately, Maxwell recently participated in a two day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a contrast that has fueled questions about prosecutorial strategy and her subsequent transfer to a minimum security federal prison camp in Texas.
Maxwell’s refusal to testify leaves many questions unanswered but does not halt the congressional inquiry.
As the House Oversight Committee presses forward, the case remains a test of whether institutions can fully account for one of the most far-reaching sex trafficking scandals in recent US history.
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