Attorneys representing British socialite and accused sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell have asked the court to keep documents relevant to her defamation case sealed for another three weeks. Her lawyers claimed that they have recently discovered “critical new information” that could influence the criminal charges against her along with a civil saw that she is facing. 

While Maxwell’s attorneys did not give any details on the information in their filing, they are requesting that the court keep documents relating to her case sealed for the next three weeks. The postponement was requested to give the socialite’s lawyers time to negotiate with the prosecution to determine how the information related to the criminal case can be used in the defamation suit against her.

The defense stated that they were not at liberty to disclose the details of the information because of a court protective order. Currently, they are in talks with the U.S. attorney’s office to seek a potential modification to the order which would allow them to discuss the details with the court. 

This is not the first time Maxwell’s defense has requested that documents pertaining to her case remain sealed. In late July, a federal judge unsealed documents related to a 2015 defamation against the socialite that was filed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexually abusing her and Maxwell of aiding him in this crime. 

In her deposition, Giuffre named former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), attorney Alan Dershowitz, Britain’s Prince Andrew, and former President Bill Clinton. Maxwell’s defense attempted to stop the unsealing of these documents as well, but their request was denied. 

It appears that Maxwell’s current request has met the same fate. The material that Maxwell wishes to keep sealed is already under a protective order in her criminal case and cannot be disclosed in Giuffre’s defamation proceedings. Giuffre’s attorneys argued that this claim of new information was simply a stall tactic that “illustrates her disregard for the Court’s time, as well as her willingness to engage in dilatory conduct to thwart the unsealing process.” 

Maxwell’s lawyers recently complained about her treatment during her incarceration. They pointed out that she was placed on suicide watch despite not being suicidal. Ghislaine’s defense team has requested that she be moved to general population and given more computer time so that she can prepare for her trial. “As a result of what occurred with Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell is being treated worse than other similarly situated pretrial detainees, which significantly impacts her ability to prepare a defense and be ready for trial on the schedule set by the Court,” the motion said. 

The New York Daily News reported that the accused sex trafficker was being held on her own floor. She was often moved between cells so that she could not keep contraband. The suspect was also provided with paper clothes to prevent potential hanging attempts. The article also states that Maxwell was enjoying more recreational time than other inmates. 

“The only time we were allowed on the floor Ms. Maxwell has to herself is when they sent us to clean it and polish the floor for her,” one inmate said. “We had to polish it three times so it would be ready for her.”

While Maxwell’s attorneys are hoping to keep as much information under wraps as possible, it seems they are only delaying the inevitable. After the trial begins, all of the information that Epstein’s alleged accomplice wants hidden will be revealed. But the real question is: Will Maxwell see justice? 

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