Ghislaine Maxwell loses bid to ban depositions from trial
Associated PressNEW YORK — Two 2016 depositions of Ghislaine Maxwell in a civil case in which she was repeatedly questioned about financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual activities can be used at her criminal trial this year over the objections of her lawyers, a judge ruled Friday. Lawyers for the British socialite charged with procuring teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse had argued Maxwell only participated in the depositions because she was promised they would be kept secret. In one count, she was charged with lying when she said “I don’t know what you’re talking about” when she was asked during the April 2016 deposition whether Epstein had a “scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages.” In another count, she was charged with perjury for saying she did not recall whether she was aware of the presence of sex toys or devices in sexual activities at Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida, home, and for saying she wasn’t aware whether Epstein was having sexual activities with anyone other than herself. In arguing that the depositions be suppressed and unavailable for use at the criminal trial, Maxwell’s lawyers said their client had decided to answer questions during the depositions rather than invoke her privilege against compulsory self-incrimination because a court-approved agreement ensured evidence would stay confidential.