Last Updated on 1 month by Ashley Michael
The House Oversight Committee rejected a request Tuesday from Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers seeking immunity in exchange for congressional testimony.
Committee spokeswoman confirmed the rejection: “The Oversight Committee will respond to Ms. Maxwell’s attorney soon, but it will not consider granting congressional immunity for her testimony.”
Maxwell attorney David Oscar Markus had outlined multiple conditions for cooperation in a letter to Chairman James Comer. The demands included formal immunity, interview location outside prison, advance questions, and timing after Supreme Court appeal resolution.
The committee subpoenaed Maxwell last week following a unanimous Government Operations Subcommittee vote. Representative Tim Burchett initiated the motion compelling her deposition testimony.
Maxwell currently serves a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking. She maintains innocence and has appeals pending before the Supreme Court.
Markus stated Maxwell initially planned to invoke Fifth Amendment rights. The attorney offered conditional cooperation “if a fair and safe path forward can be established.”
The letter warned testimony could “compromise her constitutional rights, prejudice her legal claims, and potentially taint a future jury pool.”
Chairman Comer told CNN the committee would evaluate Maxwell’s testimony before deciding on broader investigation scope. Republicans seek transparency regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted two meetings with Maxwell last week at Tallahassee federal facility. She received standard proffer immunity for those Justice Department interviews.
Maxwell answered approximately 100 questions during the three-hour sessions with Blanche. Her attorney confirmed she responded to all queries without making requests or receiving promises.
The committee continues pursuing information about Epstein’s operations and associates. House members from both parties voted to subpoena Justice Department files related to the case.
Maxwell’s lawyers stated she will invoke Fifth Amendment protections if immunity demands remain unmet. The committee has not announced alternative arrangements for securing her testimony.