Gillian Maxwell, a former associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after refusing to answer questions in a congressional investigation, indicated that if US President Donald Trump were to end her prison sentence, she would be willing to testify that he, as well as former President Bill Clinton, did nothing wrong regarding their contacts with Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee sought to have Maxwell answer questions during a video call from a federal prison in Texas, where he is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.
However, she refused, citing the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, to avoid questions that could incriminate her.
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides key protections to individuals in legal proceedings, including serious crimes, protection against double jeopardy, and the right to protection against self-incrimination (“right to remain silent”).
She is again under scrutiny by lawmakers who are trying to investigate how Epstein, a financier with numerous connections to powerful people, may have sexually abused underage girls for years. Lawmakers are trying to identify all the people who were associated with Epstein and may have assisted him in his sexual abuse.
During a closed-door deposition on Monday, Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Marcus, told the committee in a statement that she was "prepared to speak fully and honestly if President Trump grants her clemency."
He added that both Trump and Clinton are innocent of any illegal actions, but that "only Ms. Maxwell can explain why, and the public has a right to that explanation."
Democrats said it was a brazen attempt by Maxwell to get Trump to end her prison sentence.
Deputies assessed that she behaved like a robot during the call and did not appear remorseful.
When asked about it, the White House pointed to previous statements by the president suggesting that the possibility of a pardon was not currently under consideration.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers oppose such an option.
Maxwell is trying to have her conviction overturned, claiming she was wrongfully convicted.
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