On Monday, a high profile trial is set to unfold as Ghislaine Maxwell, the long-time companion of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein will face charges. She has been accused of recruiting, grooming and exploiting girls who were 14 years and above for sexual abuse by Epstein and his high profile friends.

These alleged incidents of exploitation took place for a more than a decade from 1994 to 2004. They took place in locations across the globe including an Upper East Side home in Manhattan, New York City; an estate located at Palm Beach, Florida; a ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico and a home in London, England.

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan of the Southern District of New York has allowed prosecutors to focus on one aspect of her alleged abuse. The British socialite-turned-suspect will be tried for allegedly helping Epstein recruit and abuse four girls who were underage during the nineteen nineties.

Prosecutors have indicated that opening statements will begin on Monday and the trial could go on for six weeks. Four grownup women, who were underage during their alleged sexual abuse, will take the stand. The prosecutors said that they will testify against Maxwell.

Maxwell is facing six of the eight criminal counts that are tied to alleged efforts to entice minors to travel and engage in illegal sex acts. She faces charges of conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. She also faces sex trafficking conspiracy charges.

In July 2020, Maxwell was arrested at a remote property in New Hampshire. According to reports, she tried to flee when she was being arrested by the FBI. She is being held without bail in a Brooklyn jail. The 59-year old can face several years in prison if she is convicted on all counts.

She has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges as well as related charges. She said that she was a former employee of Jeffrey Epstein and her job was to manage his portfolio of lavish properties that were spread across the world.

Source Image Maxwell Wiki