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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Isabel Keane

Ghislaine Maxwell to seek commutation from Trump after series of high-profile pardons

Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, is reportedly planning to seek a commutation of her federal prison sentence, which is set to end in 2037.

A document obtained by the House Judiciary Committee Democrats, and viewed by Politico, revealed the 63-year-old’s plan, which, if approved by President Donald Trump, could see her 20-year sentence reduced.

In a letter to her lawyer, Maxwell wrote that she would send application details through the prison warden.

“I am struggling to keep it all together as it is big and there are so many attachments,” she wrote in a message with the subject line: “RE: Commutation Application,” per Politico.

She added, “More coming to replace others... hopefully it will all make sense.”

The Supreme Court last month denied an appeal from Maxwell, who was handed the lengthy sentence after she was found guilty in 2021 of recruiting and grooming young women and girls for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Given the rejection, a pardon from Trump could be Maxwell’s only escape. The president has not ruled out pardoning Maxwell; however, he said he had not given it much thought when he was asked about it in July.

A letter to Trump from Judiciary Democrats alleges that Maxwell has been receiving preferential and lenient treatment at the minimum-security Bryan Federal Prison Camp in Texas, to which she was transferred in August.

In the letter, the committee notes having received information that suggests that “Maxwell’s meals have been customized and prepared by federal prison camp staff,” according to Politico.

Maxwell was also given special time to play with a service dog in training, per the report.

A section of the letter, viewed by CBS News, states that the committee has reportedly received information that the prison staff “has heaped favorable concierge-style treatment on Ms. Maxwell.”

The letter also claimed that when Maxwell wanted to meet with visitors, the warden would arrange for the meetings to be held in a special, cordoned-off area.

She was transferred to the prison, known for its relatively relaxed environment, after meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July. During that meeting, Maxwell claimed she had never seen Trump in an inappropriate setting.

Maxwell, 63, was transferred to the minimum-security Texas prison camp, dubbed ‘Club Fed’, in August, and has reportedly been receiving preferential treatment ever since (Getty)

She also said she had “never ever [seen] any man doing something inappropriate with a woman of any age,” despite evidence pointing to her role in Epstein’s sex-trafficking schemes. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in an apparent suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019.

In the letter to Trump, the committee urged the president not to grant Maxwell any form of clemency.

“You should not grant any form of clemency to this convicted and unrepentant sex offender,” Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to Trump. “Your Administration should not be providing her with room service, with puppies to play with, with federal law enforcement officials waiting on her every need, or with any special treatment or institutional privilege at all.”

Raskin also asked Trump in the letter if he had previously discussed commutation with his staff, and whether he had ordered that Maxwell receive special treatment behind bars.

Maxwell recently said she’s “much happier” at the cushy Texas prison camp, to which she was transferred after meeting with Trump officials.

“I feel like I have dropped through Alice in Wonderland’s looking glass,” she wrote in an email obtained by NBC News. “I am much much happier here and more importantly safe.”

The prison camp is dubbed “Club Fed” for its comparatively relaxed conditions. It boasts dormitory-style cells, no barbed wire, and opportunities to take classes outside of work. Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah are also housed there.

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