THE sex trafficking trial of Jeffrey’s Epstein’s alleged “madam” Ghislaine Maxwell started on Monday, and a meme about a fake obituary for Maxwell spread on Twitter.
A fake meme story about the New York Times publishing Maxwell’s obituary too early spread on social media even as her trial continued on Thursday.
Plus, at the trial, one of Epstein’s accusers revealed she met former President Trump when Epstein introduced the 14-year-old sex abuse victim to Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The woman, known as “Jane” during the proceedings, claimed she was driven to Mar-a-Lago by Epstein in a dark green car when she was 14.
Plus, Lawrence Visoski, Epstein’s former pilot who is testified for the prosecution, was asked during cross-examination about passengers on Epstein’s Gulf Stream plane and confirmed Trump, Prince Andrew, and former President Bill Clinton had all flown on it.
“I certainly remember President Trump, but not many people associated with him,” the pilot told the trial.
Maxwell faces allegations that she procured girls for Epstein while also participating in the abuse herself on a number of occasions. Prosecutors allege she and Epstein exploited girls as young as 14.
Maxwell’s lawyers deny all charges against her and will attempt to argue her relationship with Epstein has been overstated.
Read our Ghislaine Maxwell live blog for the latest news and updates…
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WHO FLEW ON THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS’? PART TWO
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey flew to Africa on the Lolita Express in 2002 as part of a project to raise awareness on the Aids crisis and poverty.
Comedian Chris Tucker was also part of the group, including Clinton and Spacey, who flew to Africa on a five-day humanitarian trip in 2002.
Flight logs reveal that Naomi Campbell also traveled on Epstein’s plane in 2002.
Epstein’s lawyer Alan Dershowitz took trips on the jet in the late 1990s, flight records show.
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WHO FLEW ON THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS’?
Former Epstein pilot Lawrence Visoski testified that former President Donald Trump was aboard Epstein’s distinctive Gulf Stream plane.
The Sun reported in 2019 that Prince Andrew flew on a private jet with Epstein and his alleged 17-year-old sex slave Virginia Roberts.
Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell traveled on the Lolita Express on a number of occasions, flight logs show.
According to flight logs obtained by Fox News in 2016, former US president Bill Clinton was a passenger on the jet.
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EPSTEIN RECEIVED SEVERAL MASSAGES A DAY
Juan Patricio Alessi said Jeffrey Epstein received up to three massages a day — in the morning, in the afternoon, and after dinner, The Independent noted.
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WHAT WAS THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS’?
Jeffrey Epstein was alleged to have used the plane to court underage girls and fly them between his residences across the US.
The luxury Boeing 727 aircraft was owned by Epstein, though what exactly happened on the flights remains a close guarded secret.
Victims of Epstein say he organized orgies on board the three-engine commercial jet.
The luxury aircraft boasted deluxe furnishings, a spacious galley, expansive cabin lounge, and a master bedroom.
The pilot of the plane reportedly undertook around 1,000 flights during his time flying Epstein and others.
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ALESSI GIVEN ‘DEGRADING’ LIST OF TASKS
Alessi added he was given a list of tasks to perform to maintain the house in a 58-page long booklet, The Independent reported.
He told Ghislaine Maxwell he couldn’t do all the tasks alongside his other work, describing it to the court as “very degrading.”
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ALESSI SAYS HE VISITED EPSTEIN’S PRIVATE ISLAND
Juan Patricio Alessi said he visited the private island, Little St James, while on a cruise to St Thomas with his wife, during the trial today, according to The Independent.
He also said he went to Maxwell’s London townhouse.
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THE DEFENSE’S ARGUMENT
Maxwell’s lawyer Bobbi Sternheim previously cast doubt on the accusers’ claims and argued Maxwell was a “scapegoat” for the multimillionaire pedophile’s crimes.
“Memories fade over time and this case you will learn that not only have memories faded, but they have been contaminated by outside information, constant media reports and other influences,” she said.
“The government is trying to stitch together stories of four different people, four different stories to support a pattern.
“But the only pattern you will see here is the success of those four people getting big money awards from the Epstein fund.
“They have been impacted by lawyers, by media, by things they have read, things they have heard. And by money. Big Bucks.”
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THE CHARGES
The exact charges against Maxwell are:
- Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Sex trafficking conspiracy
- Sex trafficking of a minor
She also faces two other charges of perjury over allegations she lied in a deposition in a separate civil suit, but these will be tried separately.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her.
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NEW WITNESS CALLED
The prosecution has called a new witness, Juan Patricio Alessi, according to The Independent.
The outlet reports he worked for a wealthy family in Palm Beach as a maintenance contractor before working for Epstein as a housekeeper.
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MAXWELL’S LAWYER INVOKED THE BIBLE IN OPENING STATEMENT
Opening the case for the defense, Bobbi Sternheim told the jury: “Ever since Eve was accused of tempting Adam with the apple, women have been blamed for the bad behavior of men, and women are often vilified and punished more than men are.
“The charges against Ghislaine Maxwell are for things Jeffrey Epstein did. But she is not Jeffrey Epstein.
“She is not like Jeffrey Epstein and she is not like any of the other men, powerful men, moguls, who abused women.”
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HOW LONG COULD MAXWELL FACE IN PRISON?
If convicted on all counts, Maxwell could face up to 80 years in prison.
Depending on how the trial goes and whether she is convicted, she could spend the rest of her life behind bars.
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WHO FLEW ON THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS,’ PART TWO
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey flew to Africa on the Lolita Express in 2002 as part of a project to raise awareness on the Aids crisis and poverty.
Comedian Chris Tucker was also part of the group, including Clinton and Spacey, who flew to Africa on a five-day humanitarian trip in 2002.
Flight logs reveal that Naomi Campbell also travelled on Epstein’s plane in 2002.
Epstein’s lawyer Alan Dershowitz took trips on the jet in the late 1990s, flight records show.
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WHO FLEW ON THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS’?
Former Epstein pilot Lawrence Visoski testified that former President Donald Trump was aboard Epstein’s distinctive Gulf Stream plane.
The Sun reported in 2019 that Prince Andrew flew on a private jet with Epstein and his alleged 17-year-old sex slave Virginia Roberts.
Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell travelled on the Lolita Express on a number of occasions, flight logs show.
According to flight logs obtained by Fox News in 2016, former US president Bill Clinton was a passenger on the jet.
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WHAT WAS THE ‘LOLITA EXPRESS’?
Jeffrey Epstein was alleged to have used the plane to court underage girls and fly them between his residences across the US.
The luxury Boeing 727 aircraft was owned by Epstein, though what exactly happened on the flights remains a close guarded secret.
Victims of Epstein say he organized orgies on board the three-engine commercial jet.
The luxury aircraft boasted deluxe furnishings, a spacious galley, expansive cabin lounge, and a master bedroom.
The pilot of the plane reportedly undertook around 1,000 flights during his time flying Epstein and others.
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‘THE LADY OF THE HOUSE’
The court was told that, as well as his former lover, Maxwell was Epstein’s “best friend” and his “right hand” – running his homes in New York, Florida, New Mexico, Paris and the Caribbean.
The prosecutor described Maxwell as his “second in command” and being involved in “every detail” of his life as the “lady of the house”.
She said that between 1994 and 2004, Maxwell allegedly sent gifts such as lingerie and discussed sexual topics with the girls to win their trust.
Maxwell then allegedly encouraged them to give Epstein erotic massages, which ended up in abuse.
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VICTIM MET TRUMP AT MAR-A-LAGO
Jeffrey Epstein introduced a 14-year-old sex abuse victim to Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial heard this week.
The court was also told she once participated in beauty pageant which was sponsored by the millionaire property mogul.
Maxwell’s first accuser – who is appearing under the pseudonym “Jane” – took the stand again this afternoon on day three of the trial in New York.
During cross examination, she was asked by Maxwell’s lawyers if Epstein had ever introduced her to Trump.
She agreed she had and claims she was driven to Mar-a-Lago by Epstein in a dark green car when she was 14.
And later on, she also mentioned she took part in a Trump sponsored beauty pageant.
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THE CHARGES
The exact charges against Maxwell are:
- Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Sex trafficking conspiracy
- Sex trafficking of a minor
She also faces two other charges of perjury over allegations she lied in a deposition in a separate civil suit, but these will be tried separately.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her.
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IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL MARRIED? CONTINUED
Maxwell later told the court she had tried to file for a divorce before her arrest so her husband wouldn’t suffer from “being associated with her.”
Borgerson has always denied his relationship with Maxwell, claiming the two are just old friends.
Borgerson proposed to put forth most of Maxwell’s bail money, which was denied by a judge, who ruled that the multi-million package was enough evidence to prove she could flee the country.
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IS GHISLAINE MAXWELL MARRIED?
Yes. However, prosecutors allege that she is continuing to conceal who she is married to.
Evidence points to her husband being millionaire tech company CEO Scott Borgerson.
Manhattan prosecutors have accused the British socialite of trying to hide her wealth.
Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe told Manhattan federal Judge Alison Nathan:
“The defendant also makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse, whose identity she declined to provide to Pretrial Services.”
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WHO HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO EPSTEIN AND MAXWELL?
Notable politicians, billionaires, and celebrities have been connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Some of them include Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, and Woody Allen.
Prince Andrew has been accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre. A judge dismissed criminal charges in 2015, but Giuffre is pursuing a sexual assault lawsuit.
The case is scheduled to go on well into the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year in 2022.
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ALLEGED VICTIM CLAIMS SHE WAS 14 WHEN FIRST ASSAULTED BY EPSTEIN
“Jane” was asked about her experiences with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during the trial on Tuesday.
She alleged that she was 14 when she first had sexual contact with Epstein, according to The Independent.
When questioned more, she said that Ghislaine Maxwell was in the room.
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GHISLAINE MAXWELL COMPLAINED ABOUT COURTROOM TEMPERATURE
Ghislaine Maxwell rubbed her arms in the courtroom on Wednesday to indicate she was cold, according to The Independent.
She complained about the temperature in the room on Tuesday, and Judge Nathan said they would try to turn up the heat in the courtroom, the outlet noted.
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HOW LONG COULD MAXWELL FACE IN PRISON?
If convicted on all counts, Maxwell could face up to 80 years in prison.
Depending on how the trial goes and whether she is convicted, she could spend the rest of her life behind bars.
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IS THERE A GAG ORDER?
There is no gag order, according to Newsweek.
Rumors have circulated online that members of the press have been barred from the courtroom by the judge.
Only individuals inside the courtroom will be able to watch the trial, per federal rules.
Members of the press are among those who are guaranteed access to the trial.
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A ’21ST CENTURY JAMES BOND’
The victims are going to “tell stories that have changed over time and will over time”, said Maxwell’s attorney Sternheim.
“Stories that they have told for the first time after Epstein died. Ghislaine has been inserted in those stories as they reframed their stories for a payday.
Epstein was a “21st-century James Bond” whose wealth and mystery attracted the public’s interest, added Sternheim.
Maxwell “is is a brand name, she is a lightning rod, she is a convenient stand-in for the man who cannot be here.”