Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release from prison, plans court appeal

Ghislaine Maxwell, known for her close association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, is preparing to request her release from prison, according to recent court documents. This move could complicate the Justice Departments efforts to make many of her case records public.

In a letter filed Wednesday in federal court, Maxwells attorneys stated that she plans to submit a petition challenging her detention. Though considered a long-shot, a successful petition could open the door to a new trial. Maxwells team did not take a position on the governments motion to unseal grand jury materials, which follows the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law last month.

Her attorneys warned that releasing these grand jury records, which contain unproven claims, could jeopardize any potential retrial if Maxwells habeas petition succeeds. Publishing these materials would create undue prejudice, potentially preventing a fair retrial, wrote David Oscar Markus, her lawyer. The filing also noted that Maxwell intends to file the petition pro se, representing herself without a lawyer.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in conspiring with Epstein to abuse underage girls. She is held in a minimum-security womens prison in Bryan, Texas, after being transferred from Florida. Her move followed an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding Epstein, which drew significant attention from political circles.

The Justice Department and FBI previously confirmed Epsteins death by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, rejecting claims of a client list. After the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed, the DOJ faces a 30-day deadline to release relevant documents. Federal prosecutors have requested the release of many files, though previous motions were denied by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer. The new law has prompted renewed requests for disclosure.

Maxwell also appealed to the Supreme Court and sought intervention from the Trump administration to overturn her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction, but her appeals were rejected. President Trump indicated potential interest in her case, though experts have warned against a pardon.

Author: Connor Blake