Ghislaine Maxwell Appeals to U.S. Supreme Court, Citing Broken Deal

The filing, submitted Monday, contends that the Department of Justice—specifically the Southern District of New York—breached its obligations by pursuing charges against Maxwell despite a 2007 agreement that allegedly shielded Epstein’s co-conspirators from prosecution. Maxwell’s attorneys maintain that she was unlawfully targeted and that the government must be held accountable for what they describe as a constitutional violation.

Attorney’s Statement Appeals to Trump and the Court

“No one is above the law—not even the Southern District of New York,” said attorney David Oscar Markus in a public statement. “Our government made a deal, and it must honor it. The United States cannot promise immunity with one hand in Florida and prosecute with the other in New York.”

Markus invoked former President Donald Trump’s legacy as a dealmaker to frame the issue as a matter of national credibility.

Legal Challenge Centers on 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement

At the heart of the appeal is a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) signed in 2007 between Epstein’s legal team and federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida. The deal stated that the U.S. government “will not institute any criminal charges against any potential co-conspirators of Epstein.”

Maxwell’s lawyers argue she qualifies as a third-party beneficiary and that her prosecution by federal authorities in New York violated the terms of that agreement. However, the Justice Department disputes this interpretation, asserting that the NPA was only binding within the Southern District of Florida and did not extend nationwide. DOJ has formally opposed the Supreme Court hearing the case.

Maxwell’s Conviction and Sentencing

Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on five of six federal counts, including sex trafficking of a minor. Prosecutors described her as a key enabler of Epstein’s decade-long exploitation of underage girls. In June 2022, she was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

The trial attracted global attention, with many viewing her conviction as a rare legal reckoning following Epstein’s death in jail in 2019. The DOJ has maintained that Maxwell was a knowing participant who “played an instrumental role” in Epstein’s network.

Supreme Court Decision Still Pending

The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will take up the case. A decision on whether to grant certiorari is expected after the Court returns from summer recess in late September. Legal analysts note that most petitions are rejected, but some say the constitutional questions surrounding the scope of non-prosecution agreements could attract interest.

Talks with DOJ and Pardon Speculation

Recent reports indicate that Maxwell met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in late July. While the content of those discussions remains undisclosed, the meetings have sparked speculation about cooperation, clemency, or even a potential pardon.

President Trump acknowledged in a brief statement that he has the power to pardon Maxwell but called it “inappropriate to talk about it” at this stage. No formal request for clemency has been made public.

Follow Virginia Times for regular news updates. Stay informed with the latest headlines, breaking stories, and in-depth reporting from around the world.