Sjoberg Recruitment: College Campus Approach

DEPOSITION OF JOHANNA SJOBERG GIUFFRE v. MAXWELL, Case No. 15-cv-7433-RWS (S.D.N.Y.) Johanna Sjoberg was deposed as a key witness in the civil defamation lawsuit Giuffre v. Maxwell, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Sjoberg, a former college student in Palm Beach, testified about her recruitment by Ghislaine Maxwell and her subsequent visits to Jeffrey Epstein's properties, including the New York townhouse at 9 East 71st Street. RECRUITMENT BY GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Sjoberg testified that she was approached by Maxwell on the campus of a Palm Beach college around 2001. Maxwell described a job opportunity as a personal assistant for a wealthy individual. Sjoberg stated she was brought to the Palm Beach estate where she was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein. She described being told the position involved answering phones and organizing files, but that she was quickly directed toward providing massages to Epstein. VISITS TO THE NEW YORK TOWNHOUSE: Sjoberg provided detailed testimony about trips to Epstein's New York City residence. She described the layout of the townhouse and testified about encounters with prominent individuals during her visits. Sjoberg stated that on one occasion, she was in the presence of a well-known public figure during a visit arranged by Epstein and Maxwell. Her testimony regarding these encounters became some of the most widely reported details when the deposition was unsealed. MASSAGE SESSIONS AND COMPENSATION: Sjoberg testified that she was paid in cash for each visit to the Epstein residences. She described a routine in which she would be asked to provide massages that escalated into sexual contact. Sjoberg stated that Maxwell was present during certain encounters and that Maxwell actively facilitated the sessions by directing Sjoberg's actions. SIGNIFICANCE TO MAXWELL PROSECUTION: This deposition was sealed as part of the Giuffre v. Maxwell settlement but was subsequently unsealed in stages beginning in 2019 and 2020 pursuant to court orders. Sjoberg's testimony was referenced in the criminal indictment of Ghislaine Maxwell (USA v. Maxwell, Case No. 20-cr-330, S.D.N.Y.) and was consistent with other witness accounts establishing Maxwell's role in the recruitment and grooming of young women for Jeffrey Epstein. Source: Giuffre v. Maxwell, Case No. 15-cv-7433-RWS (S.D.N.Y.)