Ghislaine Maxwell is not a good person. Maxwell was arrested and charged in July 2020 with the crimes of enticement of minors and sex trafficking of underage girls, related to her association with Epstein as his recruiter. Maxwell was convicted on five out of six counts, including one of sex trafficking of a minor, in December 2021. She faces a second criminal trial for two charges of perjury regarding Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
One of those girls, Virginia Giuffre, issued a written statement to Maxwell before her sentencing.
“Ghislaine, twenty-two years ago, in the summer of 2000, you spotted me at the Mar-a-Lago Hotel in Florida, and you made a choice. You chose to follow me and procure me for Jeffrey Epstein. Just hours later, you and he abused me together for the first time. Together, you damaged me physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally. Together, you did unthinkable things that still have a corrosive impact on me to this day.
I want to be clear about one thing: without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible pedophile. But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you. For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell. And then, Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, you used your femininity to betray us, and you led us all through it.”
Prior to sentencing, the government argued that Maxwell had shown no remorse. Maxwell frequently cast herself as the victim of a media-fueled rush to judgment, the Department of Justice was seeking a scapegoat for bungling the Epstein case, and the Bureau of Prisons was holding her in brutal conditions. Thus far, she’s proven not to be a snitch; she’s appealing her conviction, hoping she gets the leniency shown to Epstein over the years. I’m not sure she’s reading the room right. It would be political suicide to let her free, not without getting something significant in return.
Ghislaine kept Epstein’s schedule, recruited the girls, and knew everything about Epstein’s operation, including which of his friends took part in the young girls he offered up. Ghislaine’s testimony could remove dozens of pedophiles from the streets. The one’s previously shown as too rich to face justice.
There is no question that Maxwell knows who was zooming whom, whether it be a British Prince, Wall Street financiers, or a future or past President of the United States. One of those presidents perjured himself over a sexual matter hinging on the definitions of sex and the word “is.” The other, in a separate matter, was accused of raping a 13-year-old he met at an Epstein party in a lawsuit filed twice and dropped each time. Neither man can be vindicated based on their character. Each was impeached by the House of Representatives (one twice) and not found guilty by the Senate.
The question is, should Maxwell be granted a pardon if she reveals information on all the pedophiles in Jeffrey Epstein’s network? She knows who belongs on the client list, but thus far hasn’t been incentivized enough to reveal the names. Maybe she hopes the current president will pardon her? Her best bet might be to accept immunity and a pardon in exchange for telling all she knows, which is a great deal.
I think of the harm she might cause if released. Her patron, Epstein, committed suicide in a Manhattan jail and won’t be around to aid her. Most of the socialites she associated with have shunned her, except Donald Trump, who “wished her well.”
Then I think of the ongoing harm caused by the wealthy pedophiles who continued on their lecherous ways and ruined the lives of hundreds of children. Virginia Giuffre gave up her fight and committed suicide after finding no justice in the courts. The only person serving time for the indescribable harm caused to underage girls is a woman who did participate in some of the sex acts. No Prince, President, or CEO is doing time. Getting Maxwell’s testimony could change that. Maxwell has been in custody/prison for five years while the men roam free. I would give her freedom to bring down the men involved, letting the chips fall where they may.
This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. Read more of William Spivey's work on Medium. And if you dig his words, buy the man a coffee.