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Maxwell spent 9 hours in closed-door talks with the DOJ. What makes the meetings significant is that they were conducted under a form of legal protection known as limited immunity
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of deceased financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is once again at the centre of legal and political debate, (REUTERS/File Photo)
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of deceased financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is once again at the centre of legal and political debate, not for a new crime, but for what she might know about others. In an unexpected legal twist, Maxwell recently spent nine hours over two days in discussions with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), after reportedly initiating contact herself. What makes the meetings particularly significant is that they were conducted under a form of legal protection known as limited immunity.
The meetings reportedly took place behind closed doors with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, prompting renewed interest in what Maxwell may have revealed, why she was granted immunity at all, and what it could mean for the ongoing fallout from the Epstein case.
What Is Limited Immunity?
The form of protection granted to Ghislaine Maxwell is known as proffer immunity, which is a type of limited immunity. According to ABC News, this immunity allowed Maxwell to “freely answer Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s questions without fear that her responses could later be used against her.”
In lay terms, proffer immunity ensures that a person’s statements made during such meetings, and any evidence directly derived from them, cannot be used to prosecute the individual later. However, this does not shield them from prosecution altogether, nor does it necessarily mean they are cooperating under a formal agreement.
This is distinct from transactional immunity, which offers complete protection from prosecution in relation to the matters discussed. Limited immunity is far narrower in scope and is typically offered when prosecutors are trying to get individuals to provide valuable information, especially about others.
Maxwell was reportedly granted this limited form of immunity, not to exonerate her from past crimes, but to encourage her cooperation regarding ongoing or related investigations.
Why Was Maxwell Given Limited Immunity?
Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, is appealing her conviction for sex trafficking underage girls. Despite having already been tried and sentenced, she reached out to the DOJ to set up meetings, according to ABC News. The first meeting reportedly lasted six hours, followed by a three-hour session the next day.
The Justice Department may be looking into other actors possibly involved in Epstein’s crimes and believes Maxwell could help connect the dots.
Blanche, who formerly served as Donald Trump’s lead defence counsel, did not speak to reporters after either of the meetings but posted on social media that he would “reveal what he learned from Maxwell at the appropriate time.”
What Did Maxwell Reveal?
While the DOJ has kept the content of the meetings confidential, Maxwell’s lawyer David Markus told ABC News that she was asked about “maybe 100 different people” and “she didn’t hold anything back.” He emphasised that she “answered every question”, never invoked privilege, and never refused to respond during the nearly nine hours of questioning.
In a statement to ABC News, Markus said, “We don’t want to get into the substance of the questions. There were a lot of questions and we went all day and she answered every one of them. She never said ‘I’m not going to answer,’ never declined.”
Markus also confirmed that there were “no asks and no promises” made during or before the meetings, adding: “We haven’t asked for anything. This is not a situation where we are asking for anything in return for testimony or anything like that. Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief.”
Is This Leading To A Deal?
Despite intense speculation about whether Maxwell is trying to negotiate a sentence reduction or even a pardon, her lawyer was quick to tamp down such suggestions. In response to questions about whether she might be saying what prosecutors want to hear in hopes of leniency, Markus told ABC News, “No. She wants to tell the truth.”
He also stated, “We haven’t spoken to the president or anyone about a pardon just yet. And listen, the president this morning said he had the power to do so, we hope he exercises that power in the right and just way.”
The Politics Around The Epstein Files
The closed-door meetings between Maxwell and the DOJ come at a time when pressure is mounting on the Justice Department to release more information about Epstein’s network. Despite earlier commitments to disclose documents, the DOJ has recently said it will not be releasing any additional files, a move that has drawn bipartisan criticism.
The DOJ and FBI issued a memo earlier this month stating that no so-called “client list” exists. However, reports have emerged that hundreds of names appear in files related to Epstein’s operations.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi had informed President Donald Trump in May that his name was mentioned several times in the Epstein files, along with other high-profile individuals. Trump has denied any connection, stating that the controversy is a “SCAM” orchestrated by political opponents.
The Jeffrey Epstein Case
Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy financier who was arrested in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. He was accused of running a network to exploit underage girls, often with the help of associates. He died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial. Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and longtime companion of Epstein, was later arrested and convicted for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for abuse. In 2021, she was found guilty of sex trafficking and related charges, and is currently serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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