Jeffrey Epstein case reopens focus on Ghislaine Maxwell as deputy AG steps in

The Department of Justice signaled a shift in its approach to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche revealing that he has reached out to Ghislaine Maxwell to gauge her willingness to cooperate with prosecutors.

Blanche confirmed Tuesday that, under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ is now open to hearing what Maxwell might have to offer regarding uncharged individuals who may have participated in Epstein’s criminal enterprise.

‘This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead,’ Blanche said in a post on X Tuesday.

The House Oversight Committee also took action in the case Tuesday by voting to subpoena Maxwell, requiring her to appear for a deposition.

A House Oversight Committee source told Fox News the Committee will move quickly to subpoena Maxwell. Since she is in federal prison, the Committee will coordinate with the DOJ and Bureau of Prisons to schedule her deposition, they said.

In his statement Tuesday, Blanche reaffirmed the July 6 joint statement issued by the DOJ and FBI, which concluded that a thorough review of FBI files related to the Epstein case uncovered no new evidence to support charges against additional parties. 

‘Namely, that in the recent thorough review of the files maintained by the FBI in the Epstein case, no evidence was uncovered that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,’ Blanche wrote.

That memo, which was signed by FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, sparked controversy after President Donald Trump, Bondi and FBI leaders repeatedly said they would release all documents related to Epstein.

Sources told Fox News that Bongino, who signed off on the memo, complained about it in private following public backlash.

The new outreach to Maxwell is in the hopes that Epstein’s convicted accomplice ‘has information about anyone who has committed crime against victims,’ Blanche said.

‘President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence…’ he wrote. ‘Therefore, at the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.’

The new outreach to Maxwell marks the first time, according to Blanche, that any administration has approached her legal team with an inquiry into potential cooperation. 

‘That changes now,’ Blanche emphasized.

Blanche said he ‘anticipates meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days.’

David Oscar Markus, Maxwell’s attorney, confirmed to Fox News that they are ‘in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully.’

‘We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case,’ he said.

Patel responded succinctly to Blanche’s statement, writing on X Tuesday: ‘Get it.’

A federal judge has paused the U.S. government’s effort to unseal grand jury transcripts from the Maxwell case, demanding a more detailed legal justification and a complete submission of the materials before ruling. 

In an order filed Tuesday, Southern District of New York Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said prosecutors failed to address the legal standards required for disclosing such sensitive documents.

By July 29, the government must file a memorandum and provide redacted and unredacted versions of the grand jury transcripts. Maxwell and any victims who would like to weigh in are required to submit statements by August 5.

If unsealed, the transcripts could reveal previously unseen testimony and possibly identify other individuals connected to the Epstein enterprise. 

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein traffic teen girls. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and has appealed her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to prosecutors’ and survivor’s testimony, Maxwell helped recruit and groom underage girls, arrange travel and housing, as well as facilitate abuse at properties owned by Epstein.

Victims described Maxwell as a trusted adult figure who manipulated and coerced them into sexual encounters with Epstein and others.

The DOJ and the FBI declined to provide additional comment, referring Fox News Digital to Deputy Blanche’s statement.

Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.