Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo / Getty Images
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo / Getty Images
Convicted of recruiting and grooming teenage girls to be sexually abused, and now facing decades in jail, disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell may have just one chance to reduce the severity of her sentence: naming names.
Maxwell, 60, could spend up to 65 years in prison, having been found guilty on five of the six charges brought against her, including sex trafficking of a minor. That latter charge alone carries a potential sentence of 40 years.
Her legal team says it is planning to appeal the verdict.
"We have already started working on the appeal, and we are confident that she will be vindicated," lawyer Bobbi Sternheim told reporters outside court in New York.
Maxwell's siblings Kevin and Christine offered a similar sentiment.
"We believe firmly in our sister's innocence. We are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated," the pair said in a statement.
Should the conviction stand, however, Maxwell could spend the rest of her life behind bars.
"She has been lucky to have 60 years of freedom. It is far too much," remarked Lisa Bloom, a lawyer for eight of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers.
"She got to walk free on this earth for 60 years. May she never walk free again."
Speculation that Maxwell could reveal information about others involved in the underage sex trafficking ring she and Epstein orchestrated began before the verdict was even returned.
A legal source connected to the case told The Mail on Sunday a conviction would be "bad news" for the "high profile men who hung out" with Maxwell and Epstein.
"It is possible she will begin to co-operate and tell what she knows in an attempt to lessen her jail term," the source said.
"We know that prosecutors are looking at other co-conspirators in connection with Jeffrey Epstein's child sex ring.
"Ghislaine undoubtedly possesses information which could assist prosecutors in other cases. If she decides to co-operate, her testimony could be devastating.
"She was Epstein's right-hand woman for years. Imagine what she knows."
Ghislaine Maxwell massaging Jeffrey Epstein's feet in one of several photos revealed in court. Photo / US District Court
That was a common reaction to the verdict online.
"Will vile sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell now sing like a canary to avoid spending the rest of her life in prison?" wondered broadcaster Piers Morgan, for example.
"If she does, there could be a lot of rich, powerful and famous people sweating tonight."
"Will Maxwell now start to name names in Epstein's evil work to reduce her sentence?" asked Morgan's fellow British media heavyweight Andrew Neil.
Multiple US politicians have said the public should know "every single person" involved in Epstein and Maxwell's crimes.
Another titbit: this week The Miami Herald, which has provided world-leading coverage of the Epstein scandal for years, reported Maxwell introduced herself to a producer from a major US news network in the courtroom and suggested she was willing to talk publicly.
"Maxwell smiled and introduced herself, and was heard to say that she was willing to speak to the media before a marshal told the journalist to return to his seat," the paper reported.
Epstein and Maxwell. Photo / US District Court
Maxwell's accusers expressed relief at the verdict. Virginia Giuffre called her crimes "unforgivable" and suggested she was "more evil than Epstein".
"I have been dreaming of this day for the last 10 years, not knowing that it was going to come," said Giuffre.
But she also alluded to the other, as yet unprosecuted culprits.
"It's definitely not over. There are so many more people involved with this. It doesn't stop with Maxwell," she said.
"I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served.
"Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be."
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photo / Getty Images
A number of high profile men known to have interacted with Epstein and Maxwell have denied taking part in, or being aware of, any misconduct.
Giuffre has repeatedly alleged the Queen's son, Prince Andrew, had sex with her on three occasions, and is suing him in a civil lawsuit. He strenuously denies her claims.
Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump were also photographed with Epstein and Maxwell.
Maxwell is known to have attended the wedding of Clinton's daughter Chelsea. In addition, flight logs from Epstein's private plane suggest Clinton flew on board 26 times, while Trump was a passenger seven times.
There is no suggestion either man was involved in Epstein and Maxwell's crimes.
No date has been set for Maxwell's sentencing. She still needs to face court in a separate trial, where she faces two perjury charges.
