GHISLAINE Maxwell is shamelessly attempting to get her £5million sex trafficking trial legal fees paid by her dead paedophile accomplice Jeffrey Epstein.

The brazen British socialite, 60, who faces 65 years in prison after being convicted of aiding Epstein’s child abuse ring, sued his estate in the US Virgin Islands back in 2020.

She claims billionaire Epstein – who killed himself in 2019 – had promised to support her financially and she is seeking legal indemnity from his huge fortune.

A source close to Maxwell confirmed to The Sun that she is now seeking payment for the reported £5million she set aside for legal fees in her sex trafficking trial.

Spencer Kuvin, a US lawyer who represents victims of Epstein, told The Sun: “It is pretty unbelievable – that money should go to survivors, not Ghislaine Maxwell.

“Even after being convicted of being a criminal conspiracy, she wants to try and get money from a dead sexual pervert’s estate.

“One hundred per cent of that money should have gone to the victims.”

English heiress Maxwell assembled a crack team of experienced lawyers – include top defence attorney Bobbi Sternheim – to beat sex trafficking charges.

Most read in THE SUN

But her defence case lasted just two days and she was convicted of five out of six charges against her, following a three-week trial in New York.

Maxwell, the daughter of shamed publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, launched her bid for a legal indemnity from Epstein’s estate in 2020 – one year after the financier’s death.

She sued Epstein’s estate in the US Virgin Islands – where he owned a private island – describing herself as a longtime employee who formed “a legal and special relationship” with him.

The Briton moaned that the estate had “failed to uphold Epstein’s promise to indemnify and advance expenses incurred” from lawsuits and investigations relating to the tycoon.

Epstein’s estate – which has paid out more than £90million to victims of his abuse – is fighting the lawsuit.

'PARTNERS IN CRIME'

Maxwell insisted she “had no involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s alleged misconduct”.

But her sex trafficking trial last month heard that the pair were “partners in crime” who devised a “pyramid scheme of abuse” to lure in victims.

The socialite’s lawsuit against Epstein’s estate is still ongoing in the Caribbean.

Following Maxwell's conviction, her family revealed they had already launched an appeal.

Maxwell's sister Isabel and brother Kevin attended court while sibling Ian slammed the prosecution's case and the Brit's treatment in custody.

In a statement released after the verdict, they said: "We believe firmly in our sister’s innocence – we are very disappointed with the verdict.

"We have already started the appeal tonight and we believe that she will ultimately be vindicated."

Meanwhile, her brother Ian said that Maxwell will not name names or cut a deal to reduce her 65-year jail term.

He told the Sunday Times: "Prosecution confirmed no plea bargain offers were made or received [before the trial].

"I expect that position to be maintained."

Source: Read Full Article