Sealed Giuffre Testimony: Named Individuals

SEALED DEPOSITION OF VIRGINIA L. GIUFFRE — MAY 2016 GIUFFRE v. MAXWELL, Case No. 15-cv-7433-RWS (S.D.N.Y.) Virginia L. Giuffre (née Roberts) provided sworn deposition testimony in May 2016 as part of her civil defamation lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell in the Southern District of New York. This deposition, originally filed under seal, was partially unsealed beginning in August 2019 following intervention by the Miami Herald and a coalition of media organizations. The testimony constitutes one of the most detailed firsthand accounts of the sex trafficking operation run by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE: Giuffre testified at length about being recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell at the age of sixteen while working at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, around the year 2000. She described being brought to Epstein's Palm Beach estate under the pretense of a legitimate job opportunity. Giuffre stated that she was subsequently subjected to sexual abuse by Epstein and was trafficked to his other properties, including the New York townhouse at 9 East 71st Street, Little St. James Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. TRAVEL AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS: Giuffre provided detailed testimony about international travel arranged by Epstein and Maxwell. She described trips to London, Paris, and various Caribbean islands. Giuffre testified about encounters with numerous prominent individuals, stating that she was directed by Epstein and Maxwell to provide sexual services to certain associates. These allegations formed the basis for significant public scrutiny when the deposition was unsealed. ROLE OF GHISLAINE MAXWELL: Giuffre's testimony was central to establishing Maxwell's role as a recruiter, groomer, and direct participant in the trafficking scheme. She described Maxwell as training her on how to perform sexual acts for Epstein and as scheduling her encounters. Giuffre stated that Maxwell participated in certain instances of sexual abuse. LEGAL IMPACT: This deposition was extensively cited in the criminal prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell (USA v. Maxwell, Case No. 20-cr-330, S.D.N.Y.) and contributed to the unsealing of thousands of pages of related court documents in 2023 and 2024. Source: Giuffre v. Maxwell, Case No. 15-cv-7433-RWS (S.D.N.Y.)