Ghislaine Maxwell’s Defense Team Challenges Accuser’s Memory, Asks Whether She Can ‘Cry On Command’

The sex trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epstein pal Ghislaine Maxwell continued into its third day on Wednesday, with Maxwell’s defense attorney cross-examining one of the women accusing Maxwell of sexual abuse.

The former girlfriend of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein is standing trial in federal court in Manhattan on six counts related to the sex trafficking of minors including sex trafficking of a minor, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. If convicted, Maxwell faces up to 80 years in prison.

Maxwell’s defense lawyer Laura Menninger peppered the accuser, who is testifying under the pseudonym “Jane,” with questions for hours about how accurately she remembers her teen years, when the alleged sexual abuse occurred. Menninger compared what “Jane” told the FBI in previous years with her more recent statements, accusing her of contradicting herself on several topics, including on how involved Maxwell was in the alleged abuse.

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Menninger went on to ask whether “Jane” knew that her cooperation in the criminal trial would help her then-pending civil litigation or her claim with the Epstein victim fund, which ended up awarding her $5 million. “Jane” responded that she did not know that.

The defense also brought up “Jane’s” acting career, suggesting that she may be acting on the witness stand. Menninger asked her whether she can “cry on command” and noted that she has played a prostitute in a soap opera. – READ MORE