Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell Allegedly Seeking Sentence Commutation, Whistleblower Alleges to Congressional Democrats
According to new allegations from a whistleblower, Ghislaine Maxwell, now completing a two-decade sentence for sex-trafficking crimes, is allegedly readying a commutation application for review by the presidential administration.
Preferential Handling Alleged at Federal Prison
House Democrats on the judicial oversight panel announced that a source provided evidence indicating the inmate is working on the commutation application. They also stated she has been given preferential conditions at the minimum-security facility in the Lone Star State.
Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, stated in a news release that the facility's chief was “helping” the convict with document preparation and submission to aid her effort for executive mercy.
The exact content of the clemency request remain unclear, the congressman noted.
Claimed Perks and Special Accommodations
Raskin states that, per the insider, Maxwell has been receiving “customized” meals that are hand-delivered to her living area, and the supervisor has individually organized private meetings for Maxwell and her guests.
These meetings allegedly include a designated private space for attendees and “an assortment of snacks and refreshments” for her guests.
Maxwell’s visitors were also allowed to carry electronic devices, which the congressman characterized as an “unprecedented action” given the security risk and chance of unmonitored communications.
In one alleged instance, when phone lines went down for other inmates, she was provided directions about instructing her associates to call and how staff would relay the call to her.
Supervisor Acting as Assistant
The whistleblower further reportedly told congressional members that when Maxwell wanted to review and edit documents “quickly”, she reportedly employed the official as her “personal secretary and administrative assistant”.
The statement states that those writing to her would email documents directly to the warden, who would hand them over to the inmate, who would review and edit them and return them to the warden to scan and provide to the original sender.
Additional Privileges Alleged
Further perks allegedly granted to Maxwell include time to “play with” a service dog puppy – a benefit typically prohibited – as well as exclusive nighttime use to the prison exercise area.
Her legal counsel did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the whistleblower’s claims.
In a statement, the presidential office said that it “does not comment” on possible pardon appeals.
“Per the President's remarks, pardoning the convict is not something he has thought about,” the spokesperson added.
Recent Background
Over the weekend, it was reported that she told close associates in electronic messages that she was more content at the Texas facility than her former location.
This past summer, she was moved from a secure facility in Tallahassee, Florida to the less restrictive prison in Texas, where most detainees are incarcerated for financial and non-violent crimes.
The transfer, which authorities called as “unprecedented”, occurred just days after she was interviewed about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation by the deputy attorney general, the official, who also previously served as Donald Trump's private attorney.
That interview came as the administration was facing mounting pressure to release more documents related to the Epstein investigation and amid intense speculation around the President's own personal ties to the disgraced financier and adjudicated criminal, who was found deceased in custody in 2019 while facing trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Lawmaker Reactions
Through the statement, the congressman also announced that he had sent a letter to the President, demanding answers about the insider's claims, and urged the president to deny the clemency appeal.
“It would be inappropriate to approve any type of pardon to this convicted and unrepentant criminal,” Raskin wrote in the document. “Your Administration should not be providing her with personal amenities, with puppies to play with, with government agents waiting on her every need, or with any preferential handling or institutional privilege at all.”
Raskin requested that Blanche attend a open legislative session to address the disclosures and also presented several inquiries to the President.
He inquired whether he had talked about a potential commutation for Maxwell with Blanche or others, whether he had instructed him or anyone else to provide her with the transfer or special conditions in prison, and whether Maxwell, her lawyers, family or agents have made any commitments to the President or his legal team.
The representative requested for a response to the questions by 24 November.
In October, the US supreme court rejected an appeal from Maxwell on her sex-trafficking conviction.