Latest news with #justice department
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Justice department official expected to speak to Epstein accomplice Maxwell
Jeffrey Epstein's long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell is meeting justice department officials as pressure grows to release files linked to the financier's sex trafficking network, US media comes after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he planned to speak to Maxwell about any information she had on other people whom Epstein may have helped sexually abuse girls. Maxwell is being interviewed on Thursday at the US attorney's office in Tallahassee, Florida, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, ABC News lawyer told the BBC that Maxwell was looking "forward to her meeting", which could help determine whether she will testify before Congress. The latest developments come as interest has switched back to Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex-trafficker in prison for helping Epstein abuse young have grown from the public - including President Donald Trump's loyal supporters - and lawmakers for the justice department to release files related to the Epstein case. "If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche wrote in a post on X earlier this week. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump during a May briefing that his name appeared in DOJ documents related to the Epstein case. The White House has pushed back dismissing the story as "fake news". Being named in the documents is not evidence of any criminal activity, nor has Trump ever been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein campaigning for the presidency last year, Trump had promised to release such files about the well-connected sex his supporters have since grown frustrated with the administration's handling of the issue, including its failure to deliver a rumoured "client list" of Epstein. In a memo earlier this month, the justice department and FBI said there was no such died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following an earlier conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was ruled a suicide. In the years since, conspiracy theories about the nature of his crimes and his death itself have proliferated. On Wednesday, a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives voted to subpoena the justice department for the files, which must be signed off by the committee chairman. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have also subpoenaed Maxwell to testify before the panel remotely from prison on 11 August. House Speaker Mike Johnson has warned that Maxwell - who for years helped Epstein groom and sexually abuse girls - cannot be trusted to provide accurate attorney, David Oscar Markus, told the BBC the concerns were "unfounded" and that if she chooses to testify, rather than invoke her constitutional right to remain silent, "she would testify truthfully, as she always has said she would".Last week, the justice department asked a federal judge to release years-old grand jury testimony related to a 2006 Florida investigation into Epstein, but a federal judge in the state on Wednesday declined to make the documents public.
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
US attorney general told Trump his name is among many in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports
US attorney general Pam Bondi told president Donald Trump in May his name appeared in justice department files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing senior administration officials. Reuters was not able to immediately verify the Journal's report, which the White House characterised as 'fake news'. The newspaper's report threatened to expand what has become a political crisis for Mr Trump, whose past friendship with Epstein has drawn renewed scrutiny after his administration said it would not release the files, reversing a campaign promise. The justice department released a memo earlier this month that there was no basis to continue investigating the Epstein case, triggering a backlash among Mr Trump's political base, who demanded more information about wealthy and powerful people who had interacted with Epstein. READ MORE Mr Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said their friendship ended before Epstein was first prosecuted. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. He had pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed after his death. Under political pressure last week, Mr Trump directed the justice department to seek the release of sealed grand jury transcripts from the case. A federal judge denied that request earlier on Wednesday. While the White House immediately dismissed the report as fictitious, Ms Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche issued a statement that did not directly address the Wall Street Journal's reporting. [ Donald Trump sues Rupert Murdoch and Wall Street Journal publisher for $10bn over Jeffrey Epstein report Opens in new window ] 'Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts,' the officials said. 'As part of our routine briefing, we made the president aware of the findings.' The Journal reported that Ms Bondi and her deputy told Mr Trump at a White House meeting that his name, as well as those of 'many other high-profile figures', appeared in the files. Last week, the newspaper reported that Mr Trump had sent Epstein a bawdy birthday note in 2003 that ended, 'Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.' Reuters has not confirmed the authenticity of the alleged letter. Mr Trump has sued the Journal and its owners, including billionaire Rupert Murdoch, asserting that the birthday note was fake. Since the justice department's memo, Mr Trump has faced growing frustration among his base of supporters, after far-right figures spent years promoting conspiracy theories – at times echoed by Mr Trump – about Epstein and alleged ties to prominent Democratic politicians. Epstein hung himself in prison in 2019, according to the New York City chief medical examiner. But his connections with wealthy and powerful individuals prompted speculation that his death was not a suicide. The justice department said in its memo this month that it had concluded Epstein died by his own hand. [ Top Republican Mike Johnson shuts US Congress early to avoid Epstein vote Opens in new window ] In a sign of how the issue has bedevilled Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans, US House speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday abruptly said he would send lawmakers home for the summer a day early to avoid a floor fight over a vote on the Epstein files. His decision temporarily stymied a push by Democrats and some Republicans for a vote on a bipartisan resolution that would require the justice department to release all Epstein-related documents. More than two-thirds of Americans believe the Trump administration is hiding information about Epstein's clients, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week. Wednesday's court motion stemmed from federal investigations into Epstein in 2005 and 2007, according to court documents. US district judge Robin Rosenberg found that the justice department's request in Florida did not fall into any of the exceptions to rules requiring grand jury material be kept secret. The justice department also has pending requests to unseal transcripts in Manhattan federal court related to later indictments brought against Epstein and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction for child sex trafficking and other crimes. – Reuters (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
DoJ to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell as Trump faces new scrutiny over Epstein ties
Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned sex trafficker linked to the dead financier Jeffrey Epstein, is meeting with justice department officials – including Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, who will see if Maxwell 'has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims'. The announcement of Maxwell's meetings with justice department officials comes as the Trump administration faces backlash from Democrats and Trump supporters alike for its recent handling of the Epstein case. In early July, the justice department and the FBI announced that they will not be releasing any further Epstein-related documents and further said that there was 'no incriminating 'client list''. 'We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,' the justice department said. FBI officials also determined that Epstein indeed died by suicide. The Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case has led to a rift among Trump's base. The administration's attempts to place a lid on the Epstein case have been met with criticism, including from members of Congress who have pushed for votes to compel the administration to release documents related to the case. There will probably not be a vote before the August recess, Politico reports, due to Republican resistance during congressional meetings. Some lawmakers have called for Maxwell to testify before Congress about her dealings with Epstein, a move that leading House Republicans have resisted. Last week, Trump directed the attorney general, Pam Bondi, to ask a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein's case. The grand jury testimony could reveal previously unknown information but is unlikely to include big revelations since, often, prosecutors provide limited information to a grand jury only to secure an indictment. Maxwell, who was convicted of sex-trafficking underage girls for Epstein in December 2021, will reportedly be negotiating with the government. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's abuse of children. 'I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,' her attorney, David Oscar Markus, posted on X. On Tuesday morning, Blanche also released a statement, posted by Bondi, saying that he plans to meet with Maxwell 'in the coming days'. Blanche's statement also defended the department's early July release, saying it was 'as accurate today as it was when it was written'. Epstein and Maxwell were first indicted under the first Trump administration. In 2007, Epstein struck a deal with federal and state prosecutors. That year, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting charges. It is unclear what the terms of Maxwell's discussions will be or if she will agree to be a cooperating witness with the justice department. It is also unclear what benefit she may gain from cooperating with the government. Typically, cooperating witnesses receive certain benefits for working with the government, including visas, reduced sentences and, at times, government protection. 'For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask: what do you know?' Blanche posted on X. It is unclear what steps will be taken by the justice department, considering the recent shake-up at the US attorney's office in Manhattan, which prosecuted the federal cases, Politico reports. All of the prosecutors who worked on the Epstein and Maxwell cases, except one, have left the Manhattan US attorney's office in recent months. Trump has also been in the crosshairs of the Epstein dilemma, due to his past ties to the financier. Epstein once said he was Trump's 'closest friend'. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump allegedly sent a 'bawdy' letter to Epstein in 2003. Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners, and the paper was later banned from participating in the press pool during Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland. Alan Dershowitz, who was an attorney for Epstein, recently said that Maxwell would be willing to testify during an interview with Fox News, if offered immunity. 'She knows everything, she is the Rosetta Stone,' Dershowitz said. 'If she were just given 'use immunity', she could be compelled to testify. I'm told that she actually would be willing to testify.' In a separate interview with Real America's Voice, Dershowitz said that Maxwell should not be in prison. 'She is really serving Jeffrey Epstein's sentence,' Dershowitz said. 'After he committed suicide, there was no one else to prosecute 'cause there was no real information against anybody else. And so they went after her and they sentenced her to the sentence that would have been appropriate for Epstein, but not at all appropriate for her. 'She deserves to be out,' he added. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select 'Secure Messaging'. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post See our guide at for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DoJ to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell as Trump faces new scrutiny over Epstein ties
Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned sex trafficker linked to dead financier Jeffrey Epstein, is meeting with justice department officials – including Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general who will see if Maxwell 'has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims'. The announcement of Maxwell's meetings with justice department officials come as the Trump administration faces backlash from Democrats and Trump supporters alike for its recent handling of the Epstein case. In early July, the justice department and the FBI announced that they will not be releasing any further Epstein-related documents and further said that there is 'no incriminating 'client list''. 'We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,' the justice department said. FBI officials also determined that Epstein indeed died by suicide. The administration's attempts to place a lid on the Epstein case have been met with criticism, including from members of Congress who have pushed for votes to compel the administration to release documents related to the case. There will likely not be a vote before the August recess, Politico reports, due to leading Republican resistance during congressional meetings. Last week, Trump directed attorney general Pam Bondi to ask a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein's case. The grand jury testimony could reveal previously-unknown information but it is not likely to include tremendous revelations since, often, prosecutors provide limited information to a grand jury only to secure an indictment. Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking underage girls for Epstein in December 2021, will reportedly be negotiating with the government. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's abuse of children. 'I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,' her attorney, David Oscar Markus, told CNN. On Tuesday morning, Blanche also released a statement saying that he plans to meet with Maxwell 'in the coming days'. It is unclear what the terms of Maxwell's discussions will be or if she will agree to be a cooperating witness with the justice department. It's also unclear what benefit she may gain from cooperating with the government. Typically, cooperating witnesses receive certain benefits for working with the government, including visas, reduced sentences and, at times, government protection. 'For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask: what do you know?' Blanche posted on X (formerly Twitter). Trump has also been in the crosshairs of the Epstein dilemma, due to his past ties to the financier. Epstein once said he was Trump's 'closest friend'. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump allegedly sent a 'bawdy' letter to Epstein in 2003. Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners, and the paper was later banned from participating in the press pool during Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland. Alan Dershowitz, who was an attorney for Epstein, recently said that Maxwell would be willing to testify during an interview with Fox News, if offered immunity. 'She knows everything, she is the Rosetta Stone,' Dershowitz said. 'If she were just given 'use immunity,' she could be compelled to testify. I'm told that she actually would be willing to testify.' In a separate interview with Real America's Voice, Dershowitz said that Maxwell should not be in prison. 'She is really serving Jeffrey Epstein's sentence,' Dershowitz said. 'After he committed suicide, there was no one else to prosecute 'cause there was no real information against anybody else. And so they went after her and they sentenced her to the sentence that would have been appropriate for Epstein, but not at all appropriate for her.' 'She deserves to be out,' he added. Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
DoJ to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell as Trump faces new scrutiny over Epstein ties
Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned sex trafficker linked to dead financier Jeffrey Epstein, is meeting with justice department officials – including Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general who will see if Maxwell 'has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims'. The announcement of Maxwell's meetings with justice department officials come as the Trump administration faces backlash from Democrats and Trump supporters alike for its recent handling of the Epstein case. In early July, the justice department and the FBI announced that they will not be releasing any further Epstein-related documents and further said that there is 'no incriminating 'client list''. 'We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,' the justice department said. FBI officials also determined that Epstein indeed died by suicide. The administration's attempts to place a lid on the Epstein case have been met with criticism, including from members of Congress who have pushed for votes to compel the administration to release documents related to the case. There will likely not be a vote before the August recess, Politico reports, due to leading Republican resistance during congressional meetings. Last week, Trump directed attorney general Pam Bondi to ask a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein's case. The grand jury testimony could reveal previously-unknown information but it is not likely to include tremendous revelations since, often, prosecutors provide limited information to a grand jury only to secure an indictment. Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking underage girls for Epstein in December 2021, will reportedly be negotiating with the government. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's abuse of children. 'I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,' her attorney, David Oscar Markus, told CNN. On Tuesday morning, Blanche also released a statement saying that he plans to meet with Maxwell 'in the coming days'. It is unclear what the terms of Maxwell's discussions will be or if she will agree to be a cooperating witness with the justice department. It's also unclear what benefit she may gain from cooperating with the government. Typically, cooperating witnesses receive certain benefits for working with the government, including visas, reduced sentences and, at times, government protection. 'For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask: what do you know?' Blanche posted on X (formerly Twitter). Trump has also been in the crosshairs of the Epstein dilemma, due to his past ties to the financier. Epstein once said he was Trump's 'closest friend'. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump allegedly sent a 'bawdy' letter to Epstein in 2003. Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners, and the paper was later banned from participating in the press pool during Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland. Alan Dershowitz, who was an attorney for Epstein, recently said that Maxwell would be willing to testify during an interview with Fox News, if offered immunity. 'She knows everything, she is the Rosetta Stone,' Dershowitz said. 'If she were just given 'use immunity,' she could be compelled to testify. I'm told that she actually would be willing to testify.' In a separate interview with Real America's Voice, Dershowitz said that Maxwell should not be in prison. 'She is really serving Jeffrey Epstein's sentence,' Dershowitz said. 'After he committed suicide, there was no one else to prosecute 'cause there was no real information against anybody else. And so they went after her and they sentenced her to the sentence that would have been appropriate for Epstein, but not at all appropriate for her.' 'She deserves to be out,' he added.
