Ghislaine Maxwell to Invoke Fifth Amendment in Congress Hearing on Epstein Crimes

Maxwell, a known accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, will refuse to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced former socialite and accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is expected to plead the Fifth Amendment and refuse to answer questions from the U.S. Congress during a deposition on Monday. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and conspiring with Epstein to abuse minors. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is investigating Epstein's connections to powerful figures and how information about his crimes was handled. However, Maxwell's legal team has said she will not dare to answer any questions for fear of being accused of perjury.

Why it matters

Ghislaine Maxwell's refusal to testify before Congress is significant, as she was a key figure in the Epstein sex trafficking scandal that implicated numerous high-profile individuals. Her silence could prevent further revelations about Epstein's network of powerful associates and how information about his crimes was handled.

The details

Maxwell is set to appear before the House Oversight Committee via video link from prison to be questioned about Epstein's crimes and his connections to influential figures. However, her lawyers have announced that she will invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refuse to answer any questions. This contradicts her previous cooperation with authorities, when she provided information on over 100 men connected to Epstein after being moved to a low-security prison. The committee has refused to grant Maxwell legal immunity, leaving her with no choice but to remain silent.

  • On Monday, February 10, 2026, Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Congress House Oversight Committee.

The players

Ghislaine Maxwell

A 64-year-old British socialite who was a known accomplice of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking and conspiring with Epstein to abuse minors.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who had extensive ties to the world's rich and powerful. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for trafficking children, in what was ruled a suicide.

House Oversight Committee

A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that is investigating Jeffrey Epstein's connections to powerful figures and how information about his crimes was handled.

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What they’re saying

“She will not dare to say anything in response to any questions for fear of being subsequently accused of perjury.”

— Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's brother (The Telegraph)

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee is expected to proceed with the deposition on Monday, February 10, 2026, despite Ghislaine Maxwell's intention to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to answer questions.

The takeaway

Ghislaine Maxwell's refusal to testify before Congress highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover the full extent of the Epstein sex trafficking scandal and the involvement of powerful individuals. Her silence could prevent further revelations about Epstein's network and how information about his crimes was handled, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.