Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2005.Photo: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Opening arguments will begin Monday afternoon in a Manhattan federal courtroom inthe trialof British socialite and heiressGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend ofJeffrey Epsteinaccused of aiding and partaking in Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
A jury of 12 was still being empaneled on Monday morning, after federal judge Alison Nathan questioned more than 200 potential jurors.
The judge will also select six alternate jurors.
Maxwell was arrestedin June 2020, and charged with six felonies, including conspiracy to entice minors to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sex acts and perjury.
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Shepleaded not guiltyto all of the charges, and has been held without bond in a Brooklyn, N.Y., jail ever since.
During a press conference last year, Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said that Maxwell helpedEpstein"identify, befriend, and groom minor victims of abuse."
“After developing a rapport with the victims, Maxwell then tried to normalize sexual abuse with a minor victim through a process known as grooming,” Strauss added, alleging that Maxwell would discuss sexual topics with the girls, undress in front of them, and be present for sex acts involving the girls and Epstein.
Maxwell has long denied any wrongdoing.
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Dozens of womenhave come forward with allegations of abuse at the hands of Epstein.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
