Ghislaine Maxwell insists Epstein was killed but denies 'client list' exists, DOJ transcripts reveal

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: The Justice Department released the long-anticipated transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell’s July 24–25 interview, revealing shocking new claims. Maxwell denied the existence of a “client list” linked to Jeffrey Epstein and described her personal relationship with him. 

She also rejected the official account of Epstein’s death, claiming someone likely ordered an inmate to kill him. The transcripts, published Friday, August 22, shed new light on one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent memory.

Ghislaine Maxwell declares 'there is no client list'

On the same day the Justice Department submitted thousands of documents about Jeffrey Epstein to Congress, it also released hours-long interview transcripts with Ghislaine Maxwell, offering new insight into one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent history.

In the transcripts, Maxwell firmly rejected the official conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. “I do not believe he died by suicide, no,” she stated. Instead, she leaned into the theory that he was murdered, claiming, “If it is indeed murder, I believe it was an internal situation.”

While she said she didn’t know who was responsible, Maxwell speculated that another inmate may have been paid to kill him.

“In prison, where I am, they will kill you or they will pay - somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary,” she explained. “That's about the going rate for a hit with a lock today.”

She also addressed widespread speculation about a so-called “client list” of powerful figures connected to Epstein, categorically denying its existence.

“There is no list,” she said during nine hours of interviews last month. “The genesis of that story, I can actually trace for you from its absolute inception."

Maxwell also downplayed Epstein’s alleged role as a central figure in a broader conspiracy. “This is one man,” she said. “He's not some… they've made him into this. He's not that interesting. He's a disgusting guy who did terrible things to young kids.”

Ghislaine Maxwell reveals high-profile names who are connected to her and Epstein

During her lengthy DOJ interviews, Ghislaine Maxwell spoke openly about several prominent public figures and their potential connections to both herself and Jeffrey Epstein.

She said Prince Andrew frequently stayed at Epstein’s various properties and "relished Jeffrey’s hospitality." According to Maxwell, Epstein took pride in showing off his royal connections and considered Andrew a valuable asset in his social circle.

When asked about former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Maxwell acknowledged knowing him and his brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, but only in passing. “I knew them socially,” she said, “only because he was married to Kerry [Kennedy].”

Investigators pressed further, asking whether Epstein had any direct ties to Andrew Cuomo, Chris Cuomo, or Kerry Kennedy, or if any of them had flown on Epstein’s private jet or visited his homes in Palm Beach or on his private Caribbean island. Maxwell responded, “I don’t think so.”

She also confirmed her own brief connection to Elon Musk, saying she first met the tech billionaire at a private birthday party for Google co-founder Sergey Brin. She later ran into Musk again at the Oscars. Although Epstein wasn’t present at either event, Maxwell said she believed the two men were acquainted.

When speaking about Epstein’s inner circle, Maxwell identified Victoria’s Secret founder Les Wexner as Epstein’s “closest friend,” a relationship that dated back to their earliest interactions.

Through these revelations, Maxwell painted a clearer picture of Epstein’s carefully cultivated web of elite social ties, some distant, others deeply embedded.

During her two-day interview, she also addressed financial matters. Maxwell disputed that the sum of over $30 million Epstein sent to her was simply for personal gain, citing some funds tied to a helicopter she never owned. 

She also admitted to having banking licenses and day-trading in the 1990s, where she made significant profits, including millions from Epstein-financed Palm Beach real estate flips.