Ghislaine Maxwell latest news: Epstein 'associate' denied bail as it is revealed she is 'secretly married'
GHISLAINE Maxwell has been denied bail after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell was wearing a brown t-shirt and had removed her tortoise-shell framed glasses when she addressed the court via video link today.
Judge Nathan set a trial date for July 12 2021, and the government proposed blocking out three weeks for the trial.
The British socialite, 58, has been charged with six counts of sex trafficking and perjury in relation to her relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein – and was in court yesterday.
Yet, prosecutors revealed Maxwell is 'secretly married'- but they are not revealing their identity.
Meanwhile, she revealed that she had been posing as a journalist called Jen Marshall in hiding.
Follow for all the latest news and updates on the Ghislaine Maxwell case…
MAXWELL TRIED TO RUN AWAY FROM FBI AGENTS DURING A HOME RAID
Ghislaine Maxwell tried to FLEE when FBI agents arrested her and had wrapped her phone in tin foil to try avoid detection.
Prosecutors claimed she had escaped into another room when FBI agents burst into her New Hampshire mansion and placed her under arrest on July 2.
Court papers said: “As the agents approached the front door to the main house, they announced themselves as FBI agents and directed the defendant to open the door.
“Through a window, the agents saw the defendant ignore the direction to open the door and, instead, try to flee to another room in the house, quickly shutting a door behind her.
“Agents were ultimately forced to breach the door in order to enter the house to arrest the defendant, who was found in an interior room in the house.”
The FBI then found a “phone wrapped in tin foil on top of a desk” at the house which they deemed a “seemingly misguided effort to evade detection” by law enforcement.
MAXWELL'S BODYGUARDS WERE FORMER SOLIDERS
Maxwell's remote hideaway was protected by British bodyguards hired by one of her brothers, according to court documents.
The guards were former military personnel and were chosen to provide security in New Hampshire.
The papers filed by prosecutors in New York do not identify which of her three brothers organised the protection.
MAXWELL TO STAY BEHIND BARS UNTIL JULY NEXT YEAR
Maxwell will remain behind bars until her trial in July next year after Annie Farmer – one of her accusers- gave a powerful testimony to the judge.
The British socialite was denied freedom on a $5million bond to live in a “luxury” Manhattan hotel on bail.
The judge determined that Maxwell will be “ordered to be detained pending trial” and a set trial date of July 12 2021 – with the government proposing blocking out three weeks for it.
MAXWELL 'LOCKED IN SOLITARY AND DENIED SHOWER FOR 72 HOURS'
Maxwell spent 72 hours without taking a shower locked up in solitary confinement with glaring lights on the entire time, her lawyer has claimed.
The jailed socialite's attorney, Mark Cohen, detailed his client's apparent conditions on a video call during Tuesday's court hearing in New York City – as she faces child sex trafficking charges.
“She's not the monster that's been portrayed by the media and government,” Cohen said.
He argued that preparing for trial with Maxwell in jail, particularly given the current restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, would be “just not realistic.”
And Cohen added that Maxwell has been held in the “equivalent of solitary confinement” and wasn't allowed to shower for 72 hours after being transferred to the Brooklyn detention facility.
MAXWELL SOBS AS SHE'S DENIED BAIL
Ghislaine Maxwell hung her head and cried as she was refused bail and accused of being a “sex predator with no remorse.”
During the court hearing, the 58-year-old was seen wiping the tears from her eyes several times as the judge deemed her a “substantial flight risk.”
She is currently behind bars in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
HALF OF AMERICANS WANT PRINCE ANDREW EXTRADITED TO ANSWER MAXWELL AND EPSTEIN QUESTIONS
More than half of Americans want Prince Andrew extradited to the US to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, a new poll shows.
The Prince has faced scrutiny for his association of dead paedophile Epstein and Maxwell – who was earlier denied bail.
When asked by pollster Redfield and Wilton Strategies whether they agreed that “Prince Andrew should be extradited to the United States to testify in court about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein”, 53 per cent of respondents made up of US voters agreed.
This included 25 per cent of people who strong disagreed.
Only 8 per cent of people disagreed with the statement, while 22 per cent said they neither agreed or disagreed.
17 per cent said they did not know.
Full story on that here.
'I AM ABLE TO TAKE A BREATH', SAYS SURVIVOR
Following the ruling earlier today, Epstein survivor Jennifer Araoz said in a statement: “I am once again able to take another breath as Ghislaine Maxwell will be in jail until at least her trial date next July.
“Knowing that she is incarcerated for the foreseeable future allows me, and my fellow survivors, to have faith that we are on the right path.
“I would like to thank both the prosecutors and the judge for taking us one step closer to seeing that justice is served.”
'SKILLED AT LIVING IN HIDING'
Prosecutors claimed during the hearing today that Maxwell caused “lasting harm” to Epstein's victims, according to explosive court documents.
“There should be no question that the defendant is skilled at living in hiding,” prosecutors said.
“The defendant has not only the motive to flee, but the means to do so swiftly and effectively.”
Her lawyers insist she will stay home protected by electronic monitoring, private security, and friends and family who live in the United States.
Maxwell “vigorously denies the charges, intends to fight them, and is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” her lawyers wrote.
BREAKING: MAXWELL DENIED BAIL
Ghislaine Maxwell has been denied bail by Judge Nathan.
More to follow.
WHAT CHARGES DOES MAXWELL FACE?
Maxwell is charged with recruiting at least three girls, one as young as 14, for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997 in the indictment.
Maxwell, the daughter of late British publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, is facing six criminal charges – including four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury.
She allegedly groomed Epstein's young victims to endure sexual abuse and was sometimes even there when he abused them, as per court documents.
The disgraced socialite also allegedly lied during a 2016 deposition in a civil case stemming from Epstein's abuse of these women and girls.
But Maxwell's legal team argue that the media has unfairly targeted her after Epstein's suicide, legal filings revealed.
MORE ON THE 'NEW HAMPSHIRE PROPERTY'
We have already reported that Maxwell posed as a journalist called “Jen Marshall” to purchase a house in New Hampshire in November 2019.
Maxwell allegedly bought the property with another individual, called “Scott Marshall,” who claimed to be retired from the British military and who was now writing a book.
The realtor said that the couple wanted to quickly buy the house through a wire transfer.
The estate agent told officials that, following her arrest, he saw a photograph of Maxwell and identified her as the person who introduced herself as “Jen Marshall.”
During the statement, Ms Moe referred to Maxwell's alias as both “Jen” and “Janet.”
'SIGNIFICANT FLIGHT RISK'
Annie Farmer, one of Maxwell’s alleged victims, also addressed the judge on Tuesday.
Brit Maxwell, 58, is accused of giving Ms Farmer an unsolicited massage while the girl was topless.
Farmer echoed prosecutor Moe's sentiments, saying that the “danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously” and that “she is a significant flight risk.”
Judge Nathan set a trial date July 12 2021, and the government proposed blocking out three weeks for the trial.
If the judge grants Maxwell bail, she'll probably remain incarcerated.
MAXWELL 'POSED AS JOURNALIST'
It has emerged that Ghislaine Maxwell “posed as a journalist while in hiding.”
Prosecutor Alison Moe told the court that a real estate agent told the FBI that Maxwell posed as a journalist called Jen Marshall to purchase a house in New Hampshire in November 2019.
MAXWELL PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Ghislaine Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges as she launched a $5million freedom bid.
Maxwell was wearing a brown t-shirt and had removed her tortoise-shell framed glasses when she addressed the court via video link today.
The British socialite Ghislaine entered a not guilty plea at a Manhattan courthouse at 1pm local time.
When asked how she would like to plea, Maxwell replied: “Not guilty your honor.”
TRIAL DATE FOR MAXWELL
Ghislaine Maxwell's trial will start on July 12, 2021, it has emerged in court today.
The alleged “pimp” of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is appearing at a bail hearing today in New York via video link.
She has been charged with six counts of sex trafficking and perjury.
The British socialite, 58, has not entered a plea yet.
More to follow…
MAXWELL ARRIVES IN COURT
Ghislaine Maxwell has appeared in court via video to face one of her accusers as the “pimp” launched a $5million freedom bid.
Maxwell was wearing a brown t-shirt and removed her tortoise-shell framed glasses.
Her attorney, Mark Cohen, also phoned in for the case.
Today, Judge Alison Nathan will rule whether Maxwell, 58, will stay behind bars until her trial for allegedly recruiting girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.
“Good afternoon, Judge,” Ghislaine Maxwell said in reply to the judge.
When being told to alert the judge if she has technical difficulties, Maxwell replied: “Thank you, your honor, I will do that.”
We'll have all the latest on that here.
MAXWELL 'TRIED TO FLEE'
Ghislaine Maxwell tried to flee when FBI agents arrested her and had wrapped her phone in tin foil to try avoid detection, it was claimed yesterday.
Court papers filed by prosecutors in New York argued against bail for the heiress – due to answer child grooming charges tomorrow – saying she was an “extreme risk of flight”.
They said Maxwell was being protected by a security team made up by former members of the British military when she was found – as previously revealed by The Sun On Sunday.
Prosecutors claimed she had escaped to another room when FBI agents burst into her New Hampshire mansion and placed her under arrest on July 2.
Read the full story here.
MAXWELL BAIL SHOULD BE £80M, SAYS PROMINENT BONDSMAN
Maxwell's bail request will be rejected because her bond is too low, a prominent New York bondsman has said.
Ira Judelson said Maxwell should up the $5million (£4million) package she has put forward to $100millon (£80million) if she hopes to secure her release.
Judelson has arranged bonds for the likes of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein and former IMF chief Dominic Strauss-Kahn.
Speaking to the Mail, he said there was “no way” the judge would accept Maxwell's current offer because “she's a flight risk”.
Maxwell is due to appear at a bail hearing in New York this afternoon.
MAXWELL FINANCES 'OPAQUE', SAY PROSECUTORS
Ghislaine Maxwell is someone of “considerable wealth” whose finances are “opaque”, prosecutors have argued.
The claims were made in court papers filed on Monday to a court in New York, where Maxwell is due to appear via video-link for a bail hearing.
Prosecutors will ask the judge to deny Maxwell bail on the grounds that she is an 'extreme flight risk' and has the means to flee the US if released from custody.
Maxwell's lawyers are expected to ask that she be released on a £4million bail and placed under home confinement.
MAXWELL BAIL HEARING A 'CLOSE CASE'
Ghislaine Maxwell's attempt to secure bail is a 'close case', a former federal prosecutor has said.
Maxwell is set to appear at a New York court via video-link at 1pm this afternoon local time.
Her lawyers intend to ask that she be granted bail, but prosecutors have argued that she is an “extreme flight risk”.
Speaking to the New York Post, Jaimie Nawaday say: “I think this one is a close case. Epstein had no chance at all at bail.
“She’s in a very different position.
“All bail arguments look a little bit different now given COVID. That’s definitely in her favour.
“More and more there is a push toward home confinement, especially holding people pretrial, when you still have the presumption of innocence.”
COULD COVID SET GHISLAINE FREE?
Ghislaine Maxwell could be freed on bail if she's at risk of catching coronavirus in prison, a former federal prosecutor claims.
The alleged child sex trafficker may not have to stay in jail while waiting for her trial because of the Covid outbreak in America's federal prison system.
Her legal team has requested she be freed on £4million bail, saying she is not a flight risk and might be at risk of catching the coronavirus in jail.
However, prosecutors argue that Maxwell is someone of “considerable wealth” whose finances are “opaque” and who holds more than one passport.
For more on the story: Read here
GHISLAINE MAXWELL SET TO APPEAR IN COURT
Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be arraigned on Tuesday, over charges she conspired with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse girls more than two decades ago.
She will also learn on whether she’ll be released from jail pending the outcome of her trial.
The British friend of Epstein is requesting bail, while prosecutors are fighting her release before trial.
Manhattan federal court Judge Alison Nathan will decide whether or not to leave her locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
COVID MASKS 'HELPED MAXWELL STAY HIDDEN'
Masks being worn by people to guard against coronavirus reportedly helped Ghislaine Maxwell move around unnoticed.
Maxwell was arrested in New Hampshire earlier this month, and is thought to have spent the year since the death of alleged co-conspirator Jeffrey Epstein laying low in properties around the US.
A source said: “She did go out, but not often.
“Obviously, with the coronavirus, people were wearing masks — it made things easier for her.”
Read the full report here.
MAXWELL 'MOVED HOUSE 36 TIMES IN LAST YEAR'
Ghislaine Maxwell moved house up to 36 times in the year leading up to her arrest.
The FBI finally arrested the British socialite at a 156-acre property in Bradford, New Hampshire earlier this month.
A source close to Maxwell said: “Ghislaine has been constantly on the move throughout the last year.
“She would stay in properties for a few days or a week.
“She was never running from the Feds. She was running from journalists and crazy people who wanted to kill her.
“It was a serious problem. Her location was on a need-to-know basis.
“I would say she moved around three times a month — 36 times. She took flights as well.”
Read the full report here.
MAXWELL 'COULD FLEE TO EUROPE IF GRANTED BAIL'
There is arisk that Ghislaine Maxwell would use her French passport to flee to Europe if granted bail, prosecutors have argued.
Maxwell, who is due to appear at a bail hearing via video-link this afternoon, reportedly has French, British, and American passports in her name.
There are fears she could use her right to travel to Europe to reach a country that has no extradition treaty with the US.
In court papers filed on Monday, prosecutors said: “There will be no trial for the victims if the defendant is afforded the opportunity to flee the jurisdiction, and there is every reason to think that is exactly what she will do if she is released.
“The defendant poses a clear risk of flight, and no conditions of bail could reasonably assure her continued appearance in this case.”
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