The @SDNYnews press conference by the new Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss on Ghislaine Maxwell's arrest will start momentarily.
Recap of the recent firing of her predecessor Geoffrey Berman, who brought the case against Epstein. courthousenews.com/spectacularly-…
Recap of the recent firing of her predecessor Geoffrey Berman, who brought the case against Epstein. courthousenews.com/spectacularly-…
“The victims were as young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by Maxwell and Epstein, both of whom knew that certain victims were in fact under the age of 18.”
DEVELOPING story on today's indictment.
Live-tweet of presser ahead.
courthousenews.com/ghislaine-maxw…
DEVELOPING story on today's indictment.
Live-tweet of presser ahead.
courthousenews.com/ghislaine-maxw…
The press conference begins:
Acting U.S. Attorney Strauss calls the case against Maxwell the "prequel" to her predecessor's case against Epstein.
Acting U.S. Attorney Strauss calls the case against Maxwell the "prequel" to her predecessor's case against Epstein.
Maxwell had a "personal as well as a professional relationship" with Epstein, Strauss says.
Strauss: "In some cases, Maxwell participated in the abuse herself."
Strauss describing the grooming process: "They would take them to the movies and treat them to shopping trips," in an effort to make the girls appear "indebted."
Strauss: "Maxwell's presence as an adult woman helped" put the victims at ease.
Strauss adds these included sexual massages and encounters, in which Maxwell participated.
She says some of these acts also happened in Maxwell's residence in London.
Strauss adds these included sexual massages and encounters, in which Maxwell participated.
She says some of these acts also happened in Maxwell's residence in London.
Strauss on the perjury counts: "Maxwell lied because the truth, as alleged, was almost unspeakable."
Strauss tells those watching the press conference: "Combating the exploitation of children is a priority of our office," before soliciting tips via the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
SDNY prosecutors made the same request when Epstein charges were unsealed.
SDNY prosecutors made the same request when Epstein charges were unsealed.
(Lots of tips came in back then too.)
Strauss thanks the "brave women" who shared their stories from decades ago with them to make the case possible.
The FBI's Bill Sweeney is up now.
Strauss thanks the "brave women" who shared their stories from decades ago with them to make the case possible.
The FBI's Bill Sweeney is up now.
Sweeney calls Maxwell one of the "villians" in the Epstein saga.
Sweeney talks about the FBI keeping tabs on Maxwell's whereabouts: "We learned that she had slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire," where she was arrested this morning without incident.
Maxwell "attempted to normalize" sexual abuse.
Maxwell "attempted to normalize" sexual abuse.
The first perjury count flags this passage from Maxwell's deposition in the lawsuit brought by her accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Asked whether she knew Epstein had a scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages, Maxwell responded: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Asked whether she knew Epstein had a scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages, Maxwell responded: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The second perjury count from Maxwell's indictment flags her statements denying her own alleged participation in the sexual abuse.
Again, this is attributed to Maxwell's deposition in Ms. Giuffre's case.
Again, this is attributed to Maxwell's deposition in Ms. Giuffre's case.
