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Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions during a US congressional deposition on Monday, repeatedly invoking her constitutional right against self-incrimination. Maxwell appeared virtually in a closed-door session before the House Oversight Committee from a Texas prison, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking offences linked to Epstein. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Maxwell, as anticipated, pleaded the Fifth Amendment throughout the hearing. He described the outcome as disappointing, saying lawmakers had intended to question her about crimes committed by Epstein and herself, as well as the possible involvement of other individuals. Comer said the committee’s objective was to uncover the truth for the American public and secure justice for survivors of abuse. The Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution allows individuals to refuse to answer questions under oath if the responses could incriminate them. Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury told reporters after the hearing that Maxwell appeared to use the deposition as an opportunity to seek clemency. Comer said conversations with Epstein survivors had made it clear to him that Maxwell did not deserve immunity of any kind. Earlier, Maxwell’s lawyer David Oscar Markus said in a social media post that his client was prepared to speak fully if she were granted clemency by President Donald Trump. He claimed Maxwell could provide a complete account of events, even if some found the truth uncomfortable. Ahead of the deposition, a group of Epstein survivors urged lawmakers to treat any information from Maxwell with caution. In a letter to the committee, they criticised her for failing to name influential figures allegedly involved in Epstein’s trafficking network and for what they described as a lack of meaningful cooperation with investigators. They warned that offering her special treatment or credibility would be deeply harmful to survivors. The White House has previously said that no leniency for Maxwell is being considered. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for recruiting underage girls for Epstein, her former partner, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. She is seeking a presidential pardon and has faced allegations of lying to federal officials. In a separate letter to Chairman Comer, Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said he had planned to question Maxwell about a court filing in which she claimed there were four named co-conspirators and at least 25 others who were not charged in the Epstein investigation. He also intended to ask about Epstein and Maxwell’s social ties with President Trump and whether any discussion of a potential pardon had taken place. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said he cut ties with him years ago. He has not been accused of crimes by Epstein’s victims. Khanna later said Maxwell’s refusal to testify appeared inconsistent with her earlier conduct, noting that she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment during a previous meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. According to a justice department transcript, Maxwell told officials she had not witnessed inappropriate conduct by Trump or former president Bill Clinton and said there was no Epstein “client list”. The deposition had originally been scheduled for August last year but was delayed at the request of Maxwell’s lawyers pending a Supreme Court ruling. The hearing comes as the US Department of Justice has begun releasing millions of pages of documents related to the Epstein investigation under a law passed by Congress. Lawmakers are set to review unredacted versions of nearly three million pages at the justice department. Epstein survivors have continued to call for full transparency, while justice department officials have denied claims of a cover-up, rejecting suggestions that evidence has been deliberately withheld.   With inputs from BBC

Revelations from newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents have triggered political turmoil across Europe, toppling senior figures and prompting investigations, while the fallout in the United States has remained comparatively restrained. The large cache of files released by the US Department of Justice has dominated headlines in Europe, ending careers of princes, diplomats and politicians who maintained ties with Epstein after his conviction as a sex offender. In contrast, few American figures have faced serious consequences so far. In Britain, former US ambassador Peter Mandelson was dismissed and is now under police investigation over whether he passed sensitive information to Epstein. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure for appointing Mandelson despite earlier warnings about his links to the disgraced financier. The documents also deepened scrutiny of Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles III, who had already lost his royal titles and public funding after settling a lawsuit with one of Epstein’s victims. His former wife Sarah Ferguson saw her charity shut down this week. Although none of the European figures now under fire, apart from Andrew, are accused of sexual abuse, many have been forced out for continuing social or professional contact with Epstein long after his criminal conviction. Legal experts say European media and political systems have reacted more forcefully. “If your name appears in these files, it becomes a major issue immediately,” said Rob Ford, a political scientist at the University of Manchester, pointing to stronger accountability pressures in parliamentary democracies. Across Europe, resignations and suspensions have followed. Swedish UN official Joanna Rubinstein stepped down after disclosure of a visit to Epstein’s private island. Slovakia’s national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak quit over communications with Epstein. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have launched official probes into the documents, with Poland also examining possible links to Russian intelligence. Norway has been particularly shaken. Authorities opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, while ambassador Mona Juul was suspended after it emerged Epstein had left $10 million to her children in his will. Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly apologized after emails showed her friendly exchanges with Epstein. In the United States, the release of the files followed bipartisan pressure on President Donald Trump’s administration, but repercussions have been limited. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers took leave from academic posts, and a top US law firm chair resigned. Other high-profile figures, including political advisers, business leaders and former presidents, have faced questions but no major sanctions. Analysts say the contrast highlights differences in political culture and accountability, with Europe showing lower tolerance for associations seen as unethical, even without criminal allegations. The documents reveal Epstein’s extensive global network of royals, politicians, billionaires and academics, raising fresh questions about his influence and access. European investigators say further disclosures could yet widen the impact of the scandal.

Norwegian authorities have launched a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The probe, conducted by Norway’s economic crime unit Økokrim, focuses on potential “aggravated corruption” during Jagland’s tenure in senior international roles, including as head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and secretary general of the Council of Europe. Police have requested the foreign ministry to lift Jagland’s diplomatic immunity to allow the investigation to proceed. Økokrim chief Pål K. Lønseth said the inquiry will examine whether Jagland received gifts, loans, or travel benefits linked to his official positions, based on documents recently released from US Epstein files. Additional details are expected to be made public at a later stage. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed the importance of uncovering the facts and confirmed that Oslo would formally request the revocation of Jagland’s immunity from the Council of Europe. Jagland’s lawyer Anders Brosveet assured full cooperation, stating that key findings and supporting documents would be submitted to Økokrim promptly. He added that, based on current evidence, they were confident about the outcome of the investigation. Jagland, 75, served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997, led the Norwegian Nobel Committee between 2009 and 2015, and was secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.   With inputs from BBC

President Donald Trump has called for the United States to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case as the Justice Department concludes its review of millions of documents related to the convicted sex offender’s sex-trafficking network. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the review, mandated by Congress in November, found no grounds for new prosecutions. While the Justice Department’s review has ended, the House of Representatives continues its own investigation into Epstein. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify later this month, after Republicans threatened contempt of Congress for noncompliance. Members of Congress and Epstein’s survivors continue to demand additional disclosures, citing documents they claim have not been released. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, said at the White House on Tuesday that it was “really time for the country to get on to something else.” However, his name appears over 6,000 times in the released files, often mentioned by Epstein and his associates, although no evidence has directly implicated him in criminal activity. Other high-profile figures named in the documents, including Prince Andrew, former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson, and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have faced scrutiny and personal consequences for their ties to Epstein. Tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also had to address references to them in the files. The documents include unverified FBI tips from 2016, some naming Trump, Epstein, and other prominent figures. The Justice Department said these tips were unfounded and many contain false or sensational claims. A few new photographs and emails were released, but none substantially changed the narrative regarding Trump’s involvement. Epstein’s victims, including Lisa Phillips, expressed dissatisfaction with the Justice Department’s actions, citing incomplete disclosure and the release of survivors’ names. Despite the president’s call to move on, Democrats in Congress have signaled they may issue similar subpoenas for Trump and other Republicans if they regain control of the House in the November midterm elections. The Epstein saga, years after the financier’s death, continues to attract legal and political attention, highlighting ongoing calls for transparency and accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving powerful figures in the United States.   With inputs from BBC

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Lord Peter Mandelson of repeatedly lying about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and expressed regret over appointing him as the UK’s ambassador to the United States in 2024. Starmer told Parliament that Mandelson “betrayed our country” and concealed the full extent of his links with Epstein, adding that the vetting process had flagged Mandelson’s ongoing association with the financier. The prime minister said he will release all material relating to Mandelson’s appointment, except for highly sensitive documents involving national security or international relations. The controversy escalated after emails emerged showing Mandelson exchanging messages with Epstein on the day of the latter’s release from prison in 2009, including discussions about strippers and personal jokes. Mandelson has not responded publicly, but sources indicate he maintains he did not act criminally or for financial gain. Labour MPs expressed outrage over the limited disclosure plan, with Deputy Leader Angela Rayner and others demanding a parliamentary committee have a role in deciding which documents are released. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of attempting to “sabotage” the disclosure, while Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart pressed for transparency regarding the due diligence process. Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has launched an “investigatory audit” into Scottish government dealings with Mandelson, including his hosting of Swinney at his Washington residence during a trip to lobby US officials on whisky tariffs. Swinney described Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson as “completely flawed” and “disastrous.” The debate has also raised questions about national security and potential leaks. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey asked whether sensitive information may have been passed to Russian agents, citing ongoing investigations by Polish authorities into Epstein’s alleged links with Moscow. Starmer emphasized that the government will fully cooperate with criminal investigations. The episode has intensified scrutiny of Starmer’s decision-making and promises to affect parliamentary debates and public perception as the process of document disclosure begins.   With inputs from BBC

A recently released legal letter claims that Prince Andrew, also known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein asked an exotic dancer to perform sexual acts at Epstein’s Florida residence. The letter states that the dancer had been promised $10,000 to perform at the 2006 event but received only $2,000. Her lawyers said she was “treated like a prostitute” and had agreed to maintain confidentiality about the encounter in exchange for $250,000. According to the document, the dancer and other women from Rachel’s Strip Club in West Palm Beach were transported to Epstein’s home. There, she was introduced to Prince Andrew and danced in minimal attire. The letter claims that both Epstein and Andrew then requested a threesome, which she refused, but she alleges they pressured her to engage in sexual activity. The dancer was later invited to travel with Epstein and Andrew to the Virgin Islands, which she declined. The letter also notes that other women present at the event appeared to be very young, some as young as 14. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He previously reached a financial settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022 over her civil claim, in which she alleged that he had sexually abused her as a teenager after being trafficked by Epstein. The latest allegations come amid increasing pressure on Andrew to provide testimony regarding his relationship with Epstein. The most recent release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice includes photographs showing Andrew kneeling over a fully clothed woman, which has drawn additional public attention. UNB could not independently verify the claims, and Prince Andrew has not responded publicly to the specific allegations contained in the letter.   With inputs from BBC

Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier with a network of powerful friends, died in a New York prison cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had no chance of bail. Epstein’s death came over a decade after he was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was registered as a sex offender. This time, he faced allegations of running a “vast network” of underage girls for sexual exploitation, to which he pleaded not guilty. In November 2025, the US Congress approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Justice Department to release its files from investigations into Epstein. President Donald Trump signed the bill, and some documents were made public by the December 19 deadline, with more released in the following weeks, reports BBC. While authorities have claimed the January 30 release marked the end of the review process, some critics argue too many documents remain withheld. The released material has illuminated Epstein’s life and connections. Early Life and Rise to Wealth Born and raised in New York, Epstein taught mathematics and physics at the Dalton School in the mid-1970s. Though he studied these subjects at university, he never graduated. His teaching led to a connection with a Wall Street partner at Bear Stearns, and Epstein became a partner within four years. By 1982, he founded J Epstein and Co., managing over $1 billion in client assets. Epstein lived lavishly, owning properties in Florida, New Mexico, and New York, and mingled with celebrities, artists, and politicians. Former President Trump once described him as a “terrific guy” who enjoyed the company of young women. Trump later said he cut ties with Epstein over inappropriate behavior toward women at his Mar-a-Lago club. Epstein’s circle also included former President Bill Clinton, actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, and UK politician Peter Mandelson. Despite these high-profile associations, Epstein maintained a private personal life and dated women like Miss Sweden winner Eva Andersson Dubin and Ghislaine Maxwell, though he never married. Criminal Conviction and Controversial Plea Deal In 2005, Florida police were alerted to Epstein’s abuse of a 14-year-old girl, leading to a search of his Palm Beach home and the discovery of numerous photos of young girls. Reports suggested his abuse had been ongoing for years. Despite the gravity of his crimes, prosecutors negotiated a 2008 plea deal, allowing Epstein to serve 18 months in jail with work release privileges, avoiding federal charges that could have meant life imprisonment. He was registered as a high-risk sex offender for life. Epstein maintained his wealth and properties post-conviction. In 2010, Prince Andrew was photographed with him, sparking controversy years later. Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim, claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew as a minor, which he denied, though he later settled a lawsuit filed by her. Final Arrest and Death Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, after returning from Paris. Prosecutors sought forfeiture of his New York mansion, a location tied to his alleged crimes. Denied bail, he was held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Epstein was briefly hospitalized in July 2019 for undisclosed injuries, but never faced trial. The Maxwell Trial Following Epstein’s death, his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 for aiding his sexual exploitation of minors. In December 2021, she was convicted on five counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Maxwell had introduced Epstein to many of his wealthy and influential friends, including Clinton and Andrew, and continued collaborating with him professionally for years after their romantic involvement ended.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Monday said he agreed with Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s admission that she had shown “poor judgement” in maintaining contact with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as newly released US court files revealed extensive past communications between them. The acknowledgement came after documents released by the US Department of Justice showed the crown princess appeared hundreds of times in Epstein-related records between 2011 and 2014, triggering fresh scrutiny of Norway’s royal family. In a statement issued earlier, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she regretted having any contact with Epstein, calling it “simply embarrassing”, and expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims of abuse linked to him. Støre’s public agreement with the princess’s admission is seen as unusual, as Norwegian prime ministers rarely comment critically on members of the royal family. He also said former prime minister Thorbjørn Jagland had exercised “poor judgement” after it emerged that Jagland once planned, but later cancelled, a family holiday on Epstein’s private island. The revelations have surfaced at a sensitive time for the monarchy, just ahead of a seven-week trial of the crown princess’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces 38 charges including rape and sexual assault. Høiby, 29, who is not a member of the royal family, denies the most serious allegations. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence. According to the newly disclosed files, Crown Princess Mette-Marit spent several days at Epstein’s residence in Palm Beach in January 2013, and email exchanges suggested a warm tone in their correspondence, including references indicating awareness of his earlier conviction in 2008. Norwegian commentators have expressed shock at the nature of the communications, raising questions about how the risks of maintaining contact with Epstein were assessed and the role of royal advisers at the time. The royal family has faced a series of controversies in recent years, adding to public unease. No member of the family is expected to attend the upcoming trial in Oslo district court, which begins on Tuesday. Crown Prince Haakon said last week that the family’s thoughts were with everyone affected by the case, adding that while his stepson is not a royal, he remains an important part of their family.   With inputs from BBC

The US Justice Department on Friday made public its largest release yet of records linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, disclosing millions of pages and thousands of videos and images under a law aimed at revealing what authorities knew about his sexual abuse of underage girls and his ties to influential figures. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents, along with over 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images. The material was posted on the department’s website and includes records that were withheld from an initial disclosure in December. The newly released files contain references to several high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, as well as email exchanges between Epstein and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and other prominent figures from across the political spectrum. The disclosures were made under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed after sustained public and political pressure to open government files related to Epstein and his longtime associate and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Lawmakers criticised the Justice Department after a limited release last month, but officials said additional time was needed to review newly uncovered records and ensure sensitive information about victims was protected. Friday’s release marks the most extensive document dump so far in a case that has continued to shadow the Trump administration because of President Donald Trump’s past association with Epstein. Blanche acknowledged that the volume of material may still not satisfy those seeking a full accounting. “There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents,” he said. The Justice Department missed a congressional deadline of Dec 19 to release all files and later said hundreds of lawyers were assigned to review records for necessary redactions. Officials denied any attempt to shield Trump, who has said he severed ties with Epstein years ago, from embarrassment. The documents include thousands of references to Trump, such as emails sharing news articles about him, commenting on his policies or politics, or discussing his family. Also included is a spreadsheet compiled last August summarising calls to an FBI threat hotline from individuals making unverified claims of wrongdoing by Trump. Prince Andrew’s name appears hundreds of times in the records, including in news clippings, Epstein’s private emails and guest lists for dinners hosted by Epstein. Some documents show New York prosecutors attempted to secure an interview with the former prince during their sex trafficking investigation. The records also indicate that Musk contacted Epstein on at least two occasions to discuss potential visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, where many abuse allegations are said to have occurred. It remains unclear whether such visits took place. Musk has previously said he refused Epstein’s invitations. Other prominent names appearing in the files include New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, conservative activist and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, and Howard Lutnick, now serving as Trump’s commerce secretary. Statements from those individuals or their representatives said any associations with Epstein were limited and involved no wrongdoing. The documents also reference former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, who later expressed regret over having known Epstein in a professional capacity. The latest release builds on tens of thousands of pages made public last month, which included previously disclosed flight logs and photographs involving Epstein’s associates. None of Epstein’s publicly identified victims have accused Trump or former President Bill Clinton of wrongdoing. Both have said they were unaware of Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in August 2019, a month after he was charged federally with sex trafficking. Earlier, he had served jail time in Florida after pleading guilty to state charges involving a minor, under a deal that spared him from federal prosecution at the time. Documents released Friday also include a draft indictment from that period showing prosecutors considered charging not only Epstein but also three personal assistants suspected of helping recruit underage girls. In 2021, Maxwell was convicted in New York of sex trafficking for her role in recruiting underage victims and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. No other individuals have been criminally charged in connection with Epstein’s abuse. One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, had alleged in lawsuits that Epstein arranged sexual encounters for her with powerful men when she was a teenager. Those accused denied the claims. Giuffre died last year at the age of 41.

The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands is trying to subpoena billionaire Elon Musk for documents in its lawsuit seeking to hold JPMorgan Chase liable for sex trafficking acts committed by businessman Jeffrey Epstein. Musk has never been publicly accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 as he awaited sex trafficking charges in a federal jail in Manhattan. But over the years, there had been unconfirmed speculation — encouraged by Epstein himself — that Epstein had advised Musk on certain business matters. Also Read: Musk, new Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino spar over content moderation during on-stage interview Spokespeople for Musk have denied those reports, but the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands said in a court filing that it believes Epstein may have referred or tried to refer Musk to JPMorgan as a potential client. The Virgin Islands, where Epstein had an estate, sued JPMorgan last year, saying its investigation has revealed that the financial services giant enabled Epstein’s recruiters to pay victims and was “indispensable to the operation and concealment of the Epstein trafficking enterprise.” Lawyers for JPMorgan did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday. In the past, they have said victims are entitled to justice but litigation attempting to blame the financial institution for Epstein’s actions were legally meritless, directed at the wrong party and should be dismissed. Also Read: Elon Musk’s Tesla tweet trial delves into investor damages Authorities alleged that Epstein recruited and sexually abused dozens of underage girls at his mansions in New York and Palm Beach, Florida, in the early 2000s. He had pleaded not guilty. Lawyers for the Virgin Islands told a federal judge Monday that they haven't been able to locate Musk to serve him with the subpoena. They asked the court to serve Tesla, his electric vehicle company, instead. They said they hired an investigative firm to search public records databases for possible addresses for Musk and reached out to one of his lawyers by email, but received no response. A message sent to a lawyer for Musk seeking comment Monday was not immediately returned. The subpoena — one of several sent to prominent business figures — sought documents from Jan. 1, 2002, to the present reflecting communications between Musk and JPMorgan or Musk and Epstein regarding Epstein or Epstein’s role in Musk’s accounts, transactions or financial management. It also sought all documents reflecting or regarding Epstein’s involvement in human trafficking and his procurement of girls or women for commercial sex. And it sought information about fees Musk might have paid to Epstein or JPMorgan and any documents concerning communications between Musk, Epstein and JPMorgan regarding accounts, transactions or the relationship at JPMorgan.