Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty to luring girls for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is denied bail
- Disgraced financier’s long-time associate faces four charges related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury
- Arguing against bail, prosecutors called Maxwell an extreme flight who had shown herself capable of living off the grid ‘indefinitely’
A US judge on Tuesday denied bail for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s long-time associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, after she pleaded not guilty at a hearing in which women who accused her of enabling their abuse decried her “heinous” actions.
US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan, rejecting Maxwell’s bid for bail after prosecutors portrayed the wealthy socialite as an extreme flight risk, set a trial date for July 12, 2021. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016.
Maxwell, 58, appeared by video from the Brooklyn jail where she is being held. She appeared tired, with her hair pulled back, and was wearing a brown T-shirt and tortoiseshell glasses.
Arrested on July 2, Maxwell has been charged with six criminal counts: four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury. Prosecutors have said Maxwell faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.
Annie Farmer, who has accused the defendant of enabling her abuse, said Maxwell “has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes” and told the court “the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously”.