Ghislaine Maxwell told a top U.S. justice official that, during her years working with Jeffrey Epstein, she never witnessed or heard of any high-profile figures committing crimes, and she did not come across a client list or a blackmail scheme. The disclosure came during a two-day interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, conducted last month and described to ABC News by sources familiar with the proceedings.
The interview spanned about nine hours over two days. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for participating in Epstein’s sexual trafficking operation, was questioned about dozens of famous people linked to Epstein, including politicians, tech leaders and celebrities. Maxwell indicated she had not seen or heard about wrongdoing by those individuals. She also claimed that she had been misidentified by a key witness in her criminal trial and maintained she never recruited anyone underage to massage Epstein.
Blanche, accompanied by an FBI agent and another DOJ official, conducted the interview with Maxwell in the presence of three of her lawyers. Maxwell was granted limited immunity for the session, meaning nothing she said could be used against her unless she lied. Her legal team indicated Maxwell answered about “one hundred different people” when questioned.
Among the people reportedly asked about were Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman and Elon Musk; Ehud Barak, Robert Kennedy Jr., and the late George Mitchell; and celebrities such as Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker and Naomi Campbell. Maxwell reiterated there was no Epstein client list and suggested Epstein did not possess compromising material that could be used to coerce others.
The DOJ’s internal review, summarized in an unsigned memo released last month, concluded there was no incriminating client list and no evidence that would justify pursuing third-party investigations. The transcript and audio of Maxwell’s interview were turned over to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in response to a congressional subpoena for Epstein-related investigative files.
The meeting followed the removal of Maurene Comey, a New York prosecutor who led the Epstein case, from her post. Blanche’s stated goal for Maxwell’s interview was to determine whether she had information about anyone who had committed crimes against Epstein’s victims.
Maxwell’s remarks touched on Trump and Clinton in particular. Maxwell described a friendship with Clinton after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance and said she suggested Epstein’s jet be used by Clinton for travel in Africa, Asia and Europe in the early 2000s, though she asserted Clinton had no particular interest in Epstein beyond using the plane. She said Trump and Epstein were acquainted in social settings, but she claimed Trump had never visited Epstein’s Little St. James Island and that their relationship did not involve any wrongdoing.
Maxwell’s own stance has been that she did not receive a fair trial in 2021 and that she was wrongly convicted, a position she has repeated in civil and other proceedings. She remains imprisoned in Texas after a prior transfer from a higher-security facility in Tallahassee.
Looking ahead, the interview underscores ongoing scrutiny of Epstein-related investigations and the government’s effort to surface information that could lead to broader accountability. Victims’ advocates have voiced objections to any leniency toward Maxwell, arguing that accountability remains essential for justice.
Key takeaways
– Maxwell says she did not witness or hear of criminal activity by Epstein’s known associates and denies the existence of an Epstein client list.
– The interview was conducted under limited immunity and covered about 100 individuals, including several high-profile figures.
– The DOJ’s review found no evidence to support broader investigations into third parties based on Maxwell’s statements.
– Transcript and audio were provided to the House Oversight Committee as part of congressional oversight.
– Maxwell’s remarks touched on Clinton and Trump, reaffirming her view of limited contact and no direct evidence linking them to Epstein’s crimes.
– The development occurs as Maxwell seeks relief on appeal and as victims and lawmakers seek fuller disclosure of Epstein-related files.
Overall, the report reinforces the narrative that, while Maxwell offered accounts of associations and denied direct involvement of others in Epstein’s crimes, substantial evidence linking high-profile individuals to illicit activities remains central to the broader investigations and public accountability.