Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to speak, invokes Fifth Amendment in Oversight inquiry

WASHINGTON, DC: Ghislaine Maxwell appeared virtually before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, February 9, but provided no information regarding the sprawling Jeffrey Epstein case.

Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky) confirmed shortly after that Maxwell had invoked her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, a move he described as "disappointing" but "expected."

Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence, was connected via video-link from a federal prison camp in Texas.

Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif) criticized the silence, stating that after months of defying subpoenas, Maxwell had "said nothing" and provided "no information about the men who r***d and t********d women and girls."

Survivors urge skepticism of Ghislaine Maxwell's testimony

Before the deposition, a group of Epstein survivors sent a blistering letter to the committee, urging lawmakers to approach any potential claims from Maxwell with the "utmost skepticism."

The survivors noted that to this day, Maxwell had "refused to identify the many powerful men involved in the t*********g operation" and had been dishonest about her financial gains from the abuse.

The group warned that any credibility afforded to Maxwell’s testimony would be "catastrophic" for those who suffered under her facilitating role.

They also slammed her recent transfer to a low-security prison as "preferential treatment" and demanded that she be granted "no leniency," a sentiment the White House later echoed by stating that no such relief was under discussion.

Lawmakers label Ghislaine Maxwell a ‘monster’

Democratic members of the committee did not hold back in their assessment of the witness following the hearing.

Representative James Walkinshaw told reporters that "Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster" who served as the "enforcer" for Epstein’s crimes, threatening victims to ensure their silence.

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett gave the "monster" label and issued a direct warning to Maxwell: "I’ve got news for you, Ms Maxwell, we are not done."

Crockett vowed that the committee would continue to "dig" to identify the powerful co-conspirators who had so far escaped justice, despite Maxwell’s refusal to cooperate.

High-profile depositions scheduled for February 2026

While Maxwell’s silence stalled immediate progress, Chairman Comer revealed that the panel’s investigation was far from over.

Five more high-profile depositions were scheduled through March 2026, including testimony from billionaires and former world leaders.

Les Wexner, the former L Brands CEO and a long-term financial client of Epstein, is set to testify on February 18.

This will be followed by depositions for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 26 and former President Bill Clinton on February 27.

Representatives for the Clintons have expressed a desire for their testimony to be held publicly, despite the committee’s current closed-door format.

Probe extends into March 2026

The committee also secured dates for key members of Epstein’s professional circle. Epstein's longtime accountant is scheduled to sit for a deposition on March 11, followed by testimony from Epstein's lawyer on March 19.

Chairman Comer emphasized that these interviews were vital to obtaining "justice for the survivors" and uncovering how Epstein had operated for years without intervention.

As lawmakers begin to review unredacted Epstein files from the Justice Department, they remain focused on the "four named co-conspirators" and other associates mentioned in Maxwell’s prior legal filings.