Raskin Seeks Testimony on Alleged Preferential Treatment for Ghislaine Maxwell in Federal Custody

Rep. Jamie Raskin has asked a senior Justice Department official to explain claims that Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving atypical privileges in federal custody while preparing a request for clemency from the Trump administration.

In a six-page letter sent Sunday to former President Donald Trump, Raskin—the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee—cited information from a whistleblower who alleged that Maxwell intends to submit a “commutation application” and is benefiting from what the lawmaker called “a corrupt misuse of law-enforcement resources.”

The correspondence demands that Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche appear before the Judiciary Committee “without delay” to address whether federal officials offered Maxwell favorable conditions in return for testimony that could absolve Trump or other associates of Jeffrey Epstein. Raskin contended that the reported arrangement, if confirmed, would represent an improper exchange of leniency for exculpatory statements.

Transfer to Lower-Security Facility Questioned

Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking and related offenses linked to Epstein, the financier who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019. She was originally housed at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Tallahassee, Florida, a low-security facility that holds both men and women. In late summer, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) moved her to Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan, a minimum-security compound for female inmates in Bryan, Texas.

Raskin’s latest inquiry builds on an August 12 letter that he and several committee Democrats sent to the Justice Department and the BOP. That earlier communication argued that placing a convicted sex offender in a minimum-security camp appeared to conflict with Bureau of Prisons regulations that generally bar such transfers. The August letter sought records explaining why Maxwell qualified for relocation and whether senior officials intervened.

According to the whistleblower cited in Sunday’s letter, Maxwell’s transfer came shortly after a two-day meeting in July with Blanche at FCI Tallahassee. Maxwell’s attorney reportedly said the discussion covered “about 100 names” linked to Epstein, following a pledge by the Trump administration to release additional information about the deceased sex offender. Raskin now wants congressional testimony to clarify what was discussed at that meeting and how it may have influenced subsequent decisions affecting Maxwell’s confinement.

Focus on Alleged Commutation Effort

The whistleblower’s claims suggest that Maxwell is actively preparing a commutation application aimed at the Trump administration. A commutation, unlike a pardon, would not erase her conviction but could reduce or eliminate the remainder of her sentence. Raskin argued that any behind-the-scenes negotiations related to such an application must be disclosed, especially if they involve conditions that contradict standing BOP policies.

“These allegations, if accurate, indicate that law-enforcement resources have been diverted to serve private interests,” Raskin wrote. He added that Congress has a duty to ensure that the nation’s penal system applies rules uniformly and without political favoritism.

Request for Immediate Oversight

Raskin’s letter instructs Blanche to provide the Judiciary Committee with all documents and communications concerning Maxwell’s custody classification, facility transfer, and any pending requests for executive clemency. He also asks for copies of internal BOP guidance used to justify her placement at FPC Bryan.

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The lawmaker emphasized that committee staff expect Blanche to appear for sworn testimony “at the earliest possible date.” Failure to comply, Raskin warned, could prompt the panel to consider “compulsory process,” language that signals potential subpoenas.

Background on Maxwell’s Conviction

Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 of recruiting and grooming underage girls for sexual abuse by Epstein between 1994 and 2004. She began serving her 20-year sentence in June 2022. Prosecutors argued during trial that Maxwell was a central figure in Epstein’s trafficking network, while her defense insisted she was being punished for the financier’s crimes.

Epstein, 66, was awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges when he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in August 2019. His death fueled widespread speculation and multiple official reviews of jail procedures.

Next Steps

The Justice Department has not publicly responded to Raskin’s latest demands, and no timetable has been set for Blanche’s potential testimony. The Bureau of Prisons likewise has not commented on the rationale behind Maxwell’s transfer to FPC Bryan.

With the Judiciary Committee seeking rapid clarification, additional details could emerge in the coming days about Maxwell’s incarceration status and any clemency efforts underway. Raskin’s office indicated that it will continue to pursue records and witness appearances as part of its oversight responsibilities.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News