Washington: Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Jeffrey Epstein, has refused to answer questions posed by a House committee, raising suspicions of a potential pardon negotiation with President Donald Trump. Despite being summoned by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's crimes, invoked her right to avoid self-incrimination during her testimony.
According to Thai News Agency, the committee's chairman, Representative James Comer, expressed his disappointment, highlighting the importance of Maxwell's testimony in uncovering the full extent of the crimes committed by Epstein and his associates. Representative James Walkinshaw added that Maxwell's silence is part of a broader strategy to secure a presidential pardon, urging Trump to publicly deny any intentions of granting such clemency.
Maxwell's attorney, David Marcus, defended her decision to remain silent, citing an ongoing appeal process. He suggested that Maxwell is willing to disclose the full truth if guaranteed a pardon by President Trump, a statement that has further fueled speculation and intensified the public's interest in the case.