The prosecution asks for a sentence of between 30 and 55 years for Ghislaine Maxwell for recruiting minors for Jeffrey Epstein

By Tom Winter and Jonathan Dienst -

Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of 55 for sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell for her "decisive role in the horrific sexual abuse of multiple teenage girls," according to a sentencing memorandum.

In the document filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, prosecutors wrote that Maxwell, a British socialite, enjoyed "a life of extraordinary luxury and privilege" while participating in a "disturbing deal" with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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Maxwell, 60, was convicted in December of five federal sex trafficking charges related to her role in recruiting and grooming teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, her close confidante.

“Instead of showing even a hint of acceptance of responsibility, the defendant makes a desperate attempt to shift the blame anywhere else she can,” prosecutors said in the sentencing memorandum.

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Maxwell's attempts to "challenge the government for having prosecuted her, and her claim that she is held responsible for Epstein's crimes, are absurd and offensive," prosecutors added.

In the memo, prosecutors wrote that Maxwell recently reported having almost no assets despite telling the court in bail applications that he had $22 million.

Prosecutors in the memo described Maxwell as a billionaire and said the court should impose the maximum total allowable fine of $750,000.

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Maxwell's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Thursday.

Ghislaine Maxwell on September 20, 2013 in New York City. Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images

Last week, they filed a sentencing memorandum arguing for a sentence of less than the 20 years recommended by the probation department.

The memo, filed June 15, indicates that Maxwell should not be sentenced as Epstein's surrogate.

"It would be a travesty of justice for her to face a sentence that would have been appropriate for Epstein," she notes.

In another document, Maxwell's attorneys say the correct sentencing guidelines are between 51 and 63 months, or less than six years.

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Epstein was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution, and committed suicide in 2019 at a Manhattan correctional facility where he was being held on federal sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell's sentencing is scheduled for June 28.