'Epstein Accomplice' Maxwell Indirectly Requests Pardon or Commutation from Trump

[Financial News] Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice and former lover of the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in custody, has indirectly requested 'commutation or pardon' from Donald Trump, the U.S. President, who is embroiled in the Epstein sex scandal.
On the 29th (local time), according to the New York Times (NYT) and Wall Street Journal (WSJ), David Markus, Maxwell's attorney, stated in a letter to the U.S. House Oversight Committee that "if 'clemency' is granted to Maxwell, she is willing to testify openly and honestly in Congress in Washington DC." Markus argued that without legal immunity for Maxwell's testimony or such actions by President Trump, "there is no reason to risk criminal liability by testifying."

The clemency mentioned by Markus encompasses 'pardon,' which exempts criminal liability, and 'commutation,' which reduces part or all of the sentence. The U.S. Constitution grants the president the power to pardon and commute sentences under Article II. Currently, Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence after being arrested in 2020 following Epstein's death, which is why such conditions are being proposed.

In response, Jessica Collins, spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee, stated in a statement, "We plan to respond to Maxwell's attorney, but congressional immunity for his testimony will not be considered."
Meanwhile, President Trump previously responded to reporters' questions about whether he would pardon Maxwell by saying, "I have the authority to do so, but no one has suggested it," adding, "It's not appropriate to talk about it right now." The House Oversight Committee is currently pursuing a plan to call Maxwell to testify as the Trump administration has been reluctant to disclose Epstein's criminal records.
whywani@fnnews.com Chaewan Hong Reporter