Ghislaine Maxwell lawyers want sentence ‘well below’ recommended term

Attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty of assisting the late Jeffrey Epstein in sexually abusing underage girls, are requesting a sentence significantly less than the suggested 20 years in prison.

Her legal team argues in a filing that she should not be made a scapegoat for Epstein.

They also point to Maxwell’s terrible past and alleged jail maltreatment as justifications for his release.

Last year, Maxwell was found guilty of many counts, the most serious of which was sex trafficking a kid.

However, her lawyers contend in the brief that the “proper sentence, in this case, is far below the advisory guideline range.”

They claim that Epstein was the “mastermind” of the sex trafficking ring that the two conducted and that Maxwell should not be imprisoned “as if she were a surrogate for Epstein just because Epstein is no longer here.”

The lawyers argue that “Ms Maxwell cannot and should not face all of the punishment for which Epstein should have been held liable.”

Her legal team also claims that Maxwell’s reported harsh treatment in prison should be considered. Since her arrest in July 2020, she has been incarcerated.

They claim Maxwell has been subjected to “much more onerous and punishing” conditions than a usual pretrial detainee, including long periods of isolation, frequent physical searches, and “meagre, stale, and often rancid” food.

According to her lawyers, Maxwell was also the subject of a “credible” death threat.

According to information and belief, “One of the female convicts in Ms Maxwell’s housing unit told at least three other inmates that she had been offered money to murder Ms Maxwell and that she planned to strangle her in her sleep.”

Maxwell’s sentence will ultimately be decided by a judge later this month. Prosecutors will also make recommendations for punishment before then.

Four women testified against Maxwell during her trial, portraying her as a pivotal participant in Epstein’s assaults.