Ghislaine Maxwell could serve 35 years in prison if found guilty (File)
New York:
British socialist Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a court of New York for trafficking of minors against her former partner, the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The 58-year-old has denied six charges related to crimes allegedly committed by Epstein, a well-connected sex offender who committed suicide in prison while awaiting trial last summer.
Maxwell appeared in Manhattan federal court via video link from the Brooklyn Metropolitan High Security Detention Center, where she is being held after her arrest this month.
Prosecutors accuse Maxwell, daughter of late newspaper baron Robert Maxwell, of helping Epstein “recruit, care for and ultimately abuse” several minors.
The alleged crimes occurred between 1994 and 1997 and concerned three women – one of whom was only 14 years old when she was the victim of sexual violence, according to the indictment.
Maxwell would have befriended the girls with purchases and went to the movies, and then led them to give naked massages to Epstein during which he engaged in sexual acts.
Prosecutors say Maxwell has at times participated in the allegations of abuse – which occurred at his London home and at Epstein properties in Manhattan, Palm Beach and New Mexico.
They allege that she “persuaded, incited, lured and coerced” underage victims to travel across the United States and abroad for the purpose of illegal sexual acts.
Maxwell was charged with four counts related to trafficking, including the transportation of a minor with the intention of engaging in criminal sexual activity.
She also faces two counts of perjury for allegedly lying about complaints during a civil trial in 2016.
Maxwell could serve up to 35 years in prison if found guilty.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
