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House Democrat questions DOJ on possible Ghislaine Maxwell pardon

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) sent a message Wednesday letter The Department of Justice (DOJ) is strongly opposing the possibility of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime partner and accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“I write to express my disgust at the report that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is willing to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell,” Krishnamoorthi wrote in his letter.

“Last week, Maxwell’s lawyer David Oscar Markus said: ‘This has a good chance, and for good reason. [Maxwell] “I could get a pardon,” the Illinois lawmaker added. Policy.

Markus has led efforts to defend Maxwell’s freedom since last year, helping to transfer her to a lower-security prison after meeting with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in Tallahassee, Fla.

Months after the meeting, Maxwell testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee but refused to answer questions, invoking her Fifth Amendment right.

Some lawmakers criticized her for her lack of cooperation, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Maxwell deserved to be sent back to a maximum security prison.

“It is unacceptable for the DOJ to engage in such an outrageous request,” Krishnamoorthi wrote in his letter after learning that pardons were being discussed for Epstein’s accomplice.

As Maxwell fought for her freedom, others associated with Epstein also began to face punishment for their ties to the late financier.

Prince Andrew Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Duke of York, was arrested at his home in February and Peter Mandelson was removed from his post as ambassador to the United Kingdom; both incidents involved his connections to Epstein.

Economist Larry Summers was removed from several advisory boards, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before Congress about his relationship with Epstein.

Survivors fought to see further convictions. Recently, New Mexico opened an investigation into Epstein’s ranch.

Krishnamoorthi called on the Justice Department to “immediately reopen” and “fully resource” an investigation by following all credible leads into Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.

“You must also publicly and repeatedly refuse to engage with Ghislaine Maxwell regarding any presidential pardon that would exempt Ghislaine Maxwell from serving her full sentence,” the lawmaker wrote in his letter.

“Survivors deserve answers and those responsible must be held accountable. This is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of justice,” he added.

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