Jeffrey Epstein Pleaded the Fifth 500 Times, Avoided Saying He Knew Ghislaine Maxwell in Deposition

In a legal drama that feels like a thriller, court documents released on Tuesday unraveled the shocking revelation that Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious pedophile financier, invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 500 times during a 2016 deposition. The documents unload a labyrinth of mystery surrounding Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring, with the financier declining to answer questions about the major details, including his connection with Ghislaine Maxwell. The deposition, conducted at Epstein’s Palm Beach office on September 9, 2016, recorded the financier’s mastermind tactics. 

Epstein, questioned by a lawyer for Virginia Giuffre, one of his accusers, swiftly refused to answer even the most basic questions about his life. When asked about his relationship with Maxwell, Epstein responded with a determined 'Fifth,' employing his right against self-incrimination. “I’ve been advised by my counsel to assert my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution as to any and all questions that could result in a waiver of my constitutional privileges,” Epstein remarked initially during the deposition. His refusal expanded to questions about luring minors to his mansion for sex and the particulars of Maxwell’s indulgence in the alleged scheme.

As per The Telegraph, the documents also underscore Epstein’s attempt to sideline questions regarding Prince Andrew, who had been implicated in the case by Giuffre. Epstein denied answering queries about whether he tried to blackmail the Duke of York after his alleged sexual encounter with Giuffre. The documents reveal the lawyer’s question, "Isn't it true, sir, that Prince Andrew thanked you for making Virginia available to him for sexual purposes?" which remained unanswered on Epstein’s end.

As per Daily Mail reports, the deposition further navigated Epstein’s alleged use of blackmail material. When asked, “Shortly after Prince Andrew and Virginia had sex, Virginia gave you a full report about the details of the sex, true?” Epstein again pleaded with the Fifth, maintaining his boundary of silence around the murky details of his activities.

This recent release of documents comes in the wake of a cache of pictures showcasing girls and young women on Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St. James. The island, known infamously as "Pedophile Island," hosted Epstein, Maxwell, and other acquaintances. The pictures were released by the accuser, Sarah Ransome, according to the New York Post.

As the details unfold, Epstein's plea for the Fifth Amendment serves as a stark reminder of the shadowy world he operated in, where secrets and silence were the currency of power. The court documents offer a chilling glimpse into a web of deceit, leaving more questions than answers about the extent of Epstein's activities and the high-profile individuals implicated in his heinous acts. The battle for truth continues as the legacy of Epstein's crimes lingers in the pursuit of justice for the survivors.