NEW YORK, United States — A federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s latest attempt to overturn her sex trafficking conviction and 20-year prison sentence.
United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer dismissed Maxwell’s constitutional claims as “frivolous” and “meritless” in a ruling issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Maxwell, 64, was convicted in December 2021 on five felony counts arising from her role in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls.
She argued in her latest petition that her constitutional rights had been “violated in multiple respects”. She also cited documents released by the United States Justice Department this year as evidence that she had been wrongly convicted.
Engelmayer rejected that argument, ruling that the newly released material, “far from exculpating her, it incriminates her or reinforces the correctness” of her conviction.
Judge Cites Evidence Presented at Trial
Engelmayer described Maxwell’s filing as a “lengthy and rambling” petition that failed to raise a factual or legal issue capable of changing the verdict.
“Maxwell’s petition falls very far from the mark,” he wrote.
“Nearly all its claims are procedurally barred; the overwhelming testimonial and documentary evidence adduced at trial conclusively established her guilt; and her petition’s claims are demonstrably meritless, and generally based on speculation, distortions, and/or outright falsehoods.”
The judge added: “There is no fact that Maxwell fairly puts in dispute that has any potential to disturb the outcome of her trial.”
Engelmayer also wrote that an appeal from his decision “would not be taken in good faith”.
Maxwell was convicted of recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Prosecutors said some of the victims were as young as 14 when they were drawn into his circle and sexually abused.
Epstein died in prison in 2019.
Maxwell Refuses to Answer Congressional Questions
Maxwell appeared remotely before the United States House Oversight Committee in February but refused to answer questions.
She repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
James Comer, the Republican chairman of the committee, described the outcome of the session as “very disappointing”.
“We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators,” Comer said.
Pardon Request Draws Opposition
Maxwell has previously sought a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump.
When asked in October whether he would consider granting clemency, Trump said he “wouldn’t consider it or not consider it”.
“I don’t know anything about it, so I will speak to the [Department of Justice],” Trump added.
The United States Senate passed a resolution in July opposing any presidential pardon for Maxwell.
She remains in federal custody under the sentence imposed following her 2021 conviction.
