Ghislaine Maxwell: Ex-boyfriend of Maxwell accuser backs up statement
- Published
Jurors were shown a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Queen's Balmoral estate
The ex-boyfriend of an accuser in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex crimes trial has given testimony that she performed sex acts on paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He told the court on Wednesday that his ex-girlfriend, Carolyn, "worked for Jeffrey" between the ages of 14 and 18.
He would often drive Carolyn and other underage female friends to Epstein's mansion, he said. They would return with hundred dollar bills in hand.
Ms Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
She is accused of grooming teenage girls for abuse by the late Epstein between 1994 and 2004 and faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted on counts of sex trafficking and perjury.
Her defence lawyers have said she is being scapegoated for Epstein's crimes, but prosecutors argue they were "partners in crime".
Epstein died in 2019 in jail while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
On Wednesday, the ex-boyfriend, identified by the pseudonym Shawn, told the court he had been present when their mutual friend Virginia Roberts (now Virginia Giuffre) first told Carolyn of the money-making opportunity, and was occasionally present when Ms Maxwell called to schedule massage sessions.
Although Shawn said he never met Epstein or Ms Maxwell, he further corroborated Carolyn's testimony earlier in the trial that she only called the latter by her last name, suggesting she "didn't have the reading ability" to say Ms Maxwell's first name, Ghislaine.
"She was a child," he said of his partner at the time. She "only had two jobs ever. She worked at Arby's [US fast food chain] and she worked for Jeffrey".
The woman known in court as Carolyn, the third of four accusers expected to testify in Ms Maxwell's trial, broke down in tears under cross-examination late on Tuesday as defence lawyers suggested her drug addiction may have influenced her testimony.
The court also heard from David Rodgers, a former long-time pilot for Epstein, who detailed trips from his log book under questioning from prosecutors.
Mr Rodgers said Ms Giuffre, one of Epstein's most vocal accusers, flew with him 32 times in the early 2000s, while another accuser Jane - who testified last week - was aboard at least four times.
He also provided details of trips to and from Traverse City, Michigan in the summer of 1994. Jane has alleged she met Epstein as a 14-year-old, at a summer arts camp, in the area.
On Wednesday, prosecutors also showed jurors photos of Ms Maxwell with Epstein relaxing at Balmoral, the British royal family's Scottish estate.
The undated photo appears to have been taken in 1999, when Prince Andrew reportedly invited the couple to stay at Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands.
Ms Maxwell - who has British, American and French citizenship - has been in a US jail since her arrest last year.
Timeline: Arrests and charges
Epstein arrest and death
Financier Jeffrey Epstein is arrested in New Jersey after returning from France on a private jet. Federal charges accuse Epstein of trafficking a “vast network” of underage girls for sex.
He kills himself in a New York jail 36 days after his arrest.
Ghislaine Maxwell arrest
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is arrested in New Hampshire and accused of helping Epstein groom his victims.
Charges accuse her of befriending girls as young as 14 and enticing them into having sexual relations with Epstein. One alleged victim told the BBC that she “controlled the girls - she was like Madam”.
Prosecutors claim the abuse occurred in locations around the world, including Ms Maxwell’s London home.
She pleads not guilty. A judge denies her bail, calling her a flight risk.
A second set of charges
Two new US federal charges of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor are filed against Ms Maxwell, adding to the six she already faced.
Prosecutors say a fourth victim has been identified. The victim was allegedly abused in 2001 when she was 14 years old. Ms Maxwell denies these charges.
First court appearance
Ms Maxwell appears in court for the first time, pleading not guilty to multiple charges of sex abuse, sex-trafficking and perjury.
Her defence lawyers argue that the conditions in her Brooklyn jail are inhumane and argue that she is “being treated horribly”. She is denied bail.
Trial begins
Ms Maxwell trial begins in New York, where she has been in jail since her arrest.
Earlier in November, a jury candidate pool of over 600 New Yorkers was whittled down to 12 jury members.
- Published24 November 2021
- Published7 December 2021
