Micah Jonah
February 9, 2026
Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has indicated she will refuse to answer questions during a scheduled deposition before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
According to a letter written by US Representative Ro Khanna, Maxwell plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination and decline to respond to all substantive questions during the hearing fixed for Monday.
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in assisting Epstein in the abuse of underage girls and is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence. Her lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Instead of answering questions, Maxwell is expected to read a prepared statement at the start of the deposition. Khanna said the decision raises concerns, especially given that Maxwell had previously engaged with senior Justice Department officials on similar issues without invoking her constitutional rights.
Khanna, a Democrat representing California, noted that Maxwell had earlier met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and discussed related matters, making her current position appear inconsistent. He wrote to committee chairman James Comer seeking clarification on her intended testimony.
The planned deposition comes at a time of renewed public attention on the Epstein case following the release of millions of internal documents by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein and his network.
Epstein, who died in custody in 2019, had longstanding connections with influential figures in politics and business, a factor that has continued to fuel public interest and calls for accountability.
The US Justice Department has not issued a fresh statement on Maxwell’s decision, but lawmakers say the refusal to testify could limit congressional efforts to uncover the full scope of Epstein’s operations and associations.
