Epstein confidante Maxwell won't testify to US congress committee

WASHINGTON - Jeffrey Epstein's longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell has refused to testify to the Oversight Committee of the US Congress, committee chairman James Comer said on Monday, reported German news agency dpa.

Comer said that during a hearing behind closed doors, Maxwell had "as expected" made use of the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution allowing her to refuse to answer questions that could incriminate her.

"This is obviously very disappointing," he said. "We had many questions to ask about the crime she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators," he added.

Asked whether Maxwell had been pressured to remain silent, Comer said: "Well, I have no idea." According to media reports, Maxwell appeared virtually.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex-trafficking. She was found guilty of procuring young women and girls for Epstein. According to US media reports she is being held in a prison in Texas.

Her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, made clear in writing to Comer on January 20 that his client would remain silent. He justified this on the basis of ongoing legal proceedings.

Markus said that testifying under oath would jeopardize Maxwell's constitutional rights and incriminate her.

"This is not a negotiating position or a tactical choice, it is a legal necessity … Put plainly, proceeding under these circumstances would serve no other purpose than pure political theater and a complete waste of taxpayer monies," Markus wrote.

Markus said that Maxwell would be prepared to testify in the event of a pardon. - BERNAMA-dpa