Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking and conspiracy charges linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein, has formally offered to testify before the United States Congress, but only under specific legal protections. In a letter sent by her legal team to the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell stated that she is willing to provide information regarding Epstein’s network and related matters, provided she receives full immunity from future prosecution.
The request comes as part of ongoing congressional interest in revisiting the Epstein case, particularly with regard to individuals and systems that may have enabled or failed to stop Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. In response to a subpoena issued by the committee for a deposition scheduled on August 11 2025, Maxwell’s attorneys submitted a list of conditions that would have to be met for her cooperation.
Among the conditions outlined in the letter, Maxwell seeks a formal grant of immunity from all future federal, state, and civil prosecution. She has also requested that the deposition not take place at the Tallahassee, Florida federal prison where she is incarcerated, and that she be provided the committee’s questions in advance. Additionally, her legal team asked for the deposition to be postponed until after the resolution of two ongoing legal matters: her pending Supreme Court appeal and a habeas corpus petition. Her attorneys further stated that if she were granted clemency or a presidential pardon, she would be willing to testify publicly and in person before Congress in Washington, D.C.
Maxwell’s legal team indicated that without the requested protections, she would invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions. The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from being compelled to testify in a manner that could lead to self-incrimination in criminal cases. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee has confirmed receipt of Maxwell’s letter but stated that the committee does not intend to consider a grant of congressional immunity in exchange for her testimony. While Congress has the authority to grant limited immunity to compel testimony, it is a rare and politically sensitive process, often requiring coordination with the Department of Justice to ensure it does not interfere with ongoing investigations or future prosecutions.
Maxwell, 63, was convicted in December 2021 on five federal counts, including sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. Her conviction was a significant milestone in the Epstein case, which began unraveling publicly in 2019 following Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death in jail.
The renewed interest in Maxwell’s potential testimony comes amid broader efforts by Congress to investigate systemic failures related to Epstein’s network, including how he maintained high-level social and financial connections while committing crimes over many years. The Oversight Committee has indicated that it is reviewing the role of federal authorities, financial institutions, and other entities that may have played a part. Separately, Maxwell recently participated in a two-day interview with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche under conditions that reportedly involved a limited form of immunity. The details and scope of that meeting remain undisclosed.
While public reaction to Maxwell’s offer remains divided, legal analysts note that any cooperation from her would need to be weighed carefully against the potential risks of immunity. Granting such protection could limit future prosecutions or civil suits, and the government would need to ensure that any agreement aligns with broader justice objectives. For now, it remains unclear whether Congress or the Department of Justice will engage further with Maxwell regarding her proposal. The scheduled deposition for August 11 remains on the calendar, though her attorneys have signaled she will not participate under current conditions.
