Jeffrey Epstein's partner, Galein Maxwell (60) known as "Madame"
Judge Allison Nathan ruled this morning that "Madame" Maxwell
Maxwell, who has British citizenship, became the main and only defendant in the trial whose main character was supposed to be a life partner, tycoon Jeffrey Epstein, the man who was linked to all high society in the US including former presidents and a number of senior officials worldwide, royalty and former Israeli prime minister .
However, the millionaire was arrested in July 2019 and a month later committed suicide in his cell, in a mysterious death which drew much criticism and provided fertile ground for various conspiracies.
Maxwell's lawyers tried to take advantage of Epstein's death and built a strategy centered on trying to separate her from any activity she was accused of, thus trying to escape the terror of the law.
Maxwell with Epstein, Photo: Gettyimages - Archive
"Epstein was the mastermind, Epstein was the main abuser and Epstein organized the crimes for his personal satisfaction," they claimed and later also marked her as a victim: "There will be no trial for Epstein and there will be no justice and public justice for his accusers," the lawyers wrote.
"The U.S. government now has a huge hole to fill: Epstein's empty chair."
The prosecution rejected the allegations and defined them as ridiculous.
"Maxwell's claims that she is responsible for Epstein's crimes are absurd and offensive. Instead of showing even the slightest hint of responsibility, the defendant makes a desperate attempt to place the blame wherever else she can," he reasoned.
At the center of the trial were 24 witnesses and four accusers, including two who were minors at the time the crimes were attributed.
In December last year the court found Maxwell guilty on five of six counts.
Until the final sentencing was read this morning (Eastern time), it was reported that the prison authorities had transferred Maxwell to a special ward in the prison designated for suicide prevention, amid fears that she might end her life similar to her ex-partner Epstein.
Were we wrong?
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