Supreme Court Upholds Ghislaine Maxwell's Conviction, Appeals Rejected

Fri Oct 10 2025 18:22:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The US Supreme Court has declined to hear Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal against her sex-trafficking conviction, leaving her 20-year sentence intact while her legal team explores further options.

In a significant ruling, the US Supreme Court has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal related to her conviction for sex trafficking, maintaining her 20-year prison sentence. Maxwell's defense expressed disappointment but vows to continue pursuing legal actions. Meanwhile, victims' families have reacted positively to the court's decision. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for facilitating the abuse of underage girls in connection with her former partner, Jeffrey Epstein.

The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Ghislaine Maxwell against her sex-trafficking conviction.

Without providing an explanation, the court declined to hear the former British socialite's appeal, which means her 20-year sentence will remain in place barring a presidential pardon.

Her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told the BBC that her team was deeply disappointed but would continue exploring legal avenues to ensure that justice is done.

Maxwell was convicted for her role in luring underage girls for her former boyfriend, the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, to exploit. Epstein died in prison in 2019.

Family members of late Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre told the BBC that they were grateful for the court's denial and committed to ensuring she served her full sentence.

Maxwell was recently interviewed by federal agents in the US as part of an inquiry into Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme and whether others might have been involved. She was found guilty in 2021 of facilitating Epstein's abuse, with prosecutors stating she recruited and groomed girls, some as young as 14.

Maxwell's appeal argued against the validity of her trial and conviction. Speculation about a potential pardon from former President Donald Trump has arisen, although the White House has denied any discussions regarding leniency toward Maxwell.

The investigative files surrounding Epstein's case have ignited political controversy, with calls for their full release to understand his connections. Maxwell remains in a minimum-security prison facility in Texas following her recent interviews.