Woman Found Guilty of Assisting Jeffrey Epstein's Minor Sex Crimes

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joeslgina] The billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend, who committed suicide in prison while incarcerated on charges of child prostitution, has been found guilty in court of arranging prostitution for Epstein and other charges.

According to local media such as CNN and CNBC, on the 29th (local time), the jury deliberated for five days and found Ghislaine Maxwell (60) guilty on five of the six charges brought against her, including arranging child prostitution.

Maxwell, a well-known figure in British high society, has been accused of acting as the so-called 'pimp' in the Epstein scandal, luring teenage minors for Epstein and arranging illegal prostitution from 1994 to 2004, as well as conspiring to traffic minors for prostitution. However, she has consistently pleaded not guilty to all charges.

CNN reported, "Maxwell is currently facing up to 65 years in prison," and "if found guilty on all charges, she could be sentenced to up to 70 years." The outlet also noted that Maxwell showed no noticeable reaction during the reading of the jury's verdict.

The specific sentencing date and term have not yet been determined. The judge will decide based on the jury's verdict later.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Epstein, a former hedge fund manager, was arrested in 2019 on charges of sex crimes involving dozens of victims, including minors, but committed suicide in prison a month before his trial. Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend, was arrested a year later. At the time of her arrest, Maxwell claimed she was used as a scapegoat in the Epstein case.

On this day, Maxwell's legal team expressed disappointment with the verdict and stated they firmly believe in her innocence and will appeal. Virginia Giuffre's lawyer, one of Epstein's former masseuses and accusers, welcomed the verdict in a statement, calling it "a great day for justice and for Maxwell's survivors." Giuffre had previously claimed that she was forced into sexual relations with Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, by Epstein and Maxwell.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.