This was anti-climactic. The longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, was subpoenaed to answer questions before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Monday. Maxwell, who was convicted of conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors and is serving a 20-year prison sentence, however, did not answer any of the lawmakers’ questions. CBS News provided more insight into Maxwell’s long-awaited Congressional hearing: Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer questions during a virtual appearance before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Monday, chairman James Comer said. “As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing,” Comer told reporters after the deposition. “We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions bout potential co-conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors.” Comer said the committee has five more depositions scheduled as part of its investigation into Epstein. Among those set to testify are three members of Epstein’s inner circle: Les Wexner, who was one of his clients and a longtime benefactor; Richard Kahn, his accountant; and Darren Indyke, his lawyer, Comer said. “After months of defying our subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared before the Oversight Committee and said nothing. She answered no questions and provided no information about the men who raped and trafficked women and girls,” Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, said in a statement. “Who is she protecting? And we need to know why she’s been given special treatment at a low security prison by the Trump Administration. We are going to end this White House cover-up.” Rep. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, told reporters following the deposition that Maxwell’s lawyer said she has no indication that either President Trump or former President Bill Clinton are culpable for any wrongdoing. Sky News broke the news: BREAKING: Ghislaine Maxwell has declined to answer questions from the U.S. House Oversight Committee about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. She cited her constitutional right to remain silent. Latest: https://t.co/GT1sG2MdXD Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/gmF3027DoA — Sky News (@SkyNews) February 9, 2026 Here was the original press release by the DOJ released after Maxwell was sentenced, describing her crimes: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GHISLANE MAXWELL was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court by United States Circuit Judge Alison J. Nathan to 240 months in prison for her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein over the course of a decade. MAXWELL was previously found guilty on December 29, 2021, following a one-month jury trial, of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors to participate in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor to participate in illegal sex acts, sex trafficking conspiracy, and sex trafficking of a minor. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today’s sentence holds Ghislaine Maxwell accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children. This sentence sends a strong message that no one is above the law and it is never too late for justice. We again express our gratitude to Epstein and Maxwell’s victims for their courage in coming forward, in testifying at trial, and in sharing their stories as part of today’s sentencing.” According to the allegations in the Indictment, court documents, and evidence presented at trial: From at least 1994, up to and including in or about 2004, GHISLAINE MAXWELL assisted, facilitated, and participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to MAXWELL and Epstein to be under the age of 18. The victims were as young as 14 years old when they were groomed and abused by MAXWELL and Epstein, both of whom knew that their victims were in fact minors. As a part and in furtherance of their scheme to abuse minor victims, MAXWELL and Epstein enticed and caused minor victims to travel to Epstein’s residences in different states, which MAXWELL knew and intended would result in their grooming for and subjection to sexual abuse. MAXWELL enticed and groomed minor girls to be abused in multiple ways. For example, MAXWELL attempted to befriend certain victims by asking them about their lives, their schools, and their families, and taking them to the movies or on shopping trips. MAXWELL also acclimated victims to Epstein’s conduct simply by being present for victim interactions with Epstein, which put victims at ease by providing the assurance and comfort of an adult woman who seemingly approved of Epstein’s behavior. Additionally, Epstein offered to help some victims by paying for travel and/or educational opportunities, and MAXWELL encouraged certain victims to accept Epstein’s assistance. As a result, victims were made to feel indebted and believed that MAXWELL and Epstein were trying to help them. MAXWELL also normalized and facilitated sexual abuse for a victim by discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when the victim was undressed, and encouraging the victim to massage Epstein. In the latest Epstein File drop, footage of Maxwell in her prison cell was released: NEW: Living like this is worse than the deаth penalty Ghislaine Maxwell captured pacing restlessly in prison cell pic.twitter.com/ObKkChmaS6 — Megatron (@Megatron_ron) February 7, 2026