Ghislaine Maxwell's family launch appeal after sex trafficking verdict

Maxwell helped entice a number of girls to Epstein's various properties

Courtroom sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell from a previous date
Author: Radina Koutsafti and Josh Payne, PAPublished 30th Dec 2021

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of luring young girls to massage rooms for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

The 60-year-old, who was labelled "dangerous" by the prosecution during her three-week trial, helped entice vulnerable teenagers to Epstein's various properties between 1994 and 2004.

Her family said they have started the appeal process after the court's verdict was heard.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Maxwell's family said they were "very disappointed" with the verdict and had already begun the appeal process.

The statement said: "We believe firmly in our sister's innocence - we are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated."

Maxwell found guilty on multiple counts

Maxwell's New York trial heard how she summoned a 14-year-old girl to an orgy, groped another victim and laid a schoolgirl outfit out for a third accuser before a sexualised massage with Epstein because she "thought it would be fun".

The court also heard Maxwell imposed a "culture of silence... by design" at Epstein's properties, where staff were told to "see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing".

While the "horrific abuse" was going on, the jury was told how the defendant lived a "life of luxury" - with the prosecution describing the trafficking as a "means to support her lifestyle".

The jury accepted the prosecution's case that Maxwell and Epstein's youngest victim, who was 14 when she was "recruited", didn't know that "this man and woman were predators".

Maxwell was convicted on five of the six counts she was accused of including lying under oath by hiding her participation in Epstein's offences during a separate civil case.

She was found not guilty of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sex acts - which alleged the defendant coerced one of the accusers, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane", to travel from Florida to Manhattan so that Epstein could have sex with her.

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide.

'No-one, no matter how powerful and well connected, is above the law'

A statement from the US attorney's office released following the verdict said: "A unanimous jury has found Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable - facilitating and participating in the sexual abuse of children. Crimes that she committed with her long-time partner and co-conspirator, Jeffrey Epstein.

"The road to justice has been far too long. But, today, justice has been done. I want to commend the bravery of the girls - now grown women - who stepped out of the shadows and into the courtroom."

The US attorney's office also said they will make sure that that "no-one, no matter how powerful and well connected, is above the law."

Maxwell, who has been held in a US jail since her arrest in July 2020, will be sentenced on a date yet to be confirmed.

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