Ghislaine Maxwell’s ‘household manual’ given to Epstein’s housekeeper reveals staff were silenced by ‘degrading’ rules
GHISLAINE Maxwell handed Jeffrey Epstein's housekeeper a "degrading" 58-page booklet which shows staff were told to "see nothing and say nothing".
Maxwell, 59, the former girlfriend of Epstein, faces six charges of sexual abuse and trafficking - allegations she denies.
Juan Patricio Alessi, 71, who worked at the paedo's mansion in Palm Beach, Florida from 1990 to 2002, took the stand again today for the fifth day of the socialite's trial in New York City following her arrest last year.
He said that the Brit once handed him a hefty booklet with a checklist detailing the tasks he was to carry out to "maintain the house" - something he said he found "degrading".
The book, which was submitted into evidence and was written by a "Countess", the court heard, was released today showing yet more strict rules staff members were told to follow.
Employees were told to "be cautious of voice levels and noise" while working at the property.
They were also told: "Remember that you see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing, except to answer a question directed at you."
Staff were banned from eating or drinking in front of Maxwell, Epstein or their guests and were also instructed not to wear "strong perfume or aftershave lotion."
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Alessi, who is being cross-examined today by Maxwell's lawyers, said this morning that working conditions at the Florida home were like "slavery."
He told the court that he was expected to be on call for Epstein 24 hours a day.
Employees were also told items in pockets "must not create a bulge or be visible", with Alessi previously saying he was "supposed to be blind and dumb".
Staff were also instructed on using "proper language" around the property.
Words like "yeah", "sure" and right" were deemed improper and workers were instead told to say things like "My pleasure and "Of course Ms..."
On Thursday, the house manager, who moved to Florida from Ecuador in 1984, was asked by the prosecution "how did things change" when Maxwell became involved with Epstein.
He replied: "Things were less cordial. Less conversation. I was not allowed to see Mr Epstein anymore, unless he asked me a question.
"Ms Maxwell said, 'Don't look at his eyes, look at another part of him.'"
The former Epstein staffer - who first met the socialite in 1991 - described Maxwell as the "lady of the house" who called him "John".
He said: "From the day she came to the house she right away took over. She mentioned to me she was going to be the lady of the house. She also told me she was in charge of (Epstein's) other properties."
One of Alessi's jobs was to stuff $100 bills into each of the millionaire's cars.
When asked how any times he saw females bathing at the mansion's pool, Alessi said: "hundreds of times."
The Charges
GHISLAINE Maxwell faces six charges over her alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein:
- Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex
- Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Sex trafficking conspiracy
- Sex trafficking of a minor
Asked if the women were "topless", the witness said: "75% of the time."
Alessi said he first worked for the mother of Les Wexner before being recommended to Epstein.
Wexner, who founded lingerie giant Victoria's Secret, reportedly allowed financier Epstein to manage his billion-dollar fortune from the late-1980s until at least 2007.
Housekeeper Alessi - who lived at Epstein's mansion - told the court that Maxwell would sleep in the paedophile monster's bedroom when she stayed at the Florida home.
The 71-year-old told police in 2005 that he would wash off vibrators and a rubber penis after Epstein's massages with girls.
He said the bed sheets would be changed after each massage, suggesting there was some kind of sexual activity taking place.
Giving evidence on Thursday, Alessi spoke about finding sex toys in his boss' massage room.
'SEE NOTHING. SAY NOTHING'
He said: "I remember finding a large dildo. It looked like a huge man's penis with two heads."
Alessi said he put gloves on to wash the sex toy and the placed it in a wicker basket in Maxwell's closet which also contained pornography and a black leather costume.
He told the court "there were many photographs" of naked women at the mansion "usually kept at Ms Maxwell's desk".
The former staff member said that two girls, who appeared underage, also frequently stayed at the mansion.
He told the court one was Virginia Roberts - who alleges she was forced to sleep with Prince Andrew three times - and the alleged victim in the trial who uses the pseudonym 'Jane'.
The Duke of York denies all allegations of misconduct made against him.
Asked how old Jane was when he first met her, Alessi said: "Appeared 14 or 15. She was beautiful, beautiful eyes, long brunette hair, very pleasant.
"Three times she was there with her mother. Then, without her mother. Many times."
Alessi alleges he first met Virginia when she worked at Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.
He told the court: "I was at Mar-A-Lago with Ms Maxwell. I waited in the car like the driver."
Asked by the prosecution, "how did she look?", the 71-year-old replied: "young", and when asked how old she was he said: "14 or 15."
This follows Epstein's former pilot Larry Visoski claiming he thought Virginia looked like an adult, saying: "she didn't look young."
The prosecution submitted two pictures of the alleged sex slave as evidence today.
Maxwell's defence are expected to hinge much of their case on going after the credibility of the alleged victims.
Her first accuser "Jane" took the stand yesterday on day three of the trial.
'DON'T LOOK HIM IN THE EYES'
She claimed Maxwell fondled her as Epstein pleasured himself before the twisted financier abused her with sex toys.
Jane also told the court that an "orgy" took place in the mansion's massage room on multiple occasions and both Maxwell and Epstein allegedly took part.
Elsewhere, defence attorneys pursued inconsistencies and apparent errors in Jane's account of the events that occurred 20 years ago when she was a teenager.
She previously told how the British socialite was "in the room" when much of the abuse occurred - including when she was just 14.
Jane repeatedly said she could either not recall or claimed there were errors in the initial transcription of her comments when speaking to prosecutors in 2019.
It appears a key part of Maxwell's defence lawyers strategy is attempting to suggest the victim's memories have changed over time.
Jane, now in her early 40s and an actress, was also grilled about a multimillion dollar payout she received from a compensation fund for Epstein's victims.
SEX TRAFFICKING CHARGES
Sobbing, she said: "I wish I never received that money in the first place because of what happened."
Maxwell's lawyers also quizzed her on her career as an actress, including asking if she even played a "prostitute" and if she can "cry on command".
"This is real. I am seeking closure. I have been running from this my entire life. I want to help in whatever way I can. And maybe find some healing," Jane said.
And she added that she clearly recalls the first time Epstein abused her as it was the moment her "life would change forever".
During cross examination, Jane was asked by Maxwell's lawyers if Epstein had ever introduced her to Donald Trump.
She agreed she had and claims she was driven to Mar-a-Lago by Epstein in a dark green car when she was 14.
And later on, she also mentioned she took part in a Trump sponsored beauty pageant.
Trump has long been associated with beauty pageants, owning the MIss USA contest from 1996 to 2015.
There has been no suggestion in the trial - or anywhere else - that Mr Trump was aware of Epstein's sickening crimes.
And she was also asked if she ever remembered being on a flight with Ghislaine's pal Prince Andrew, to which she also replied yes.
Andrew denies any wrongdoing over his friendship with Epstein - including strongly denying he slept with 17-year-old sex slave Virginia Roberts.
It is the third time Trump have been mentioned in the case - and the second time for Andrew.
Both were named yesterday alongside Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker as plane passengers by Epstein's longtime pilot Lawrence Visoski.
And on both occasions the famous names were brought up by Maxwell's team during cross-examination.
Ghislaine appeared in court yesterday along with her sister Isabel, her brother Kevin and a small group of supporters.
Epstein and Maxwell rubbed shoulders with the world's rich and famous - allegedly hiding in plain sight amid a web of sex abuse.
Multi-millionaire Epstein would keep a "little black book" of powerful contacts as he jetted around the world allegedly with Maxwell.
Prosecutors argue Maxwell "served up" young girls to her former lover and also allegedly participated in some of the attacks.
She is also alleged to have lied under oath by hiding her participation in Epstein's offences during a separate civil case.
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Her lawyers deny all charges against her and claim she is being made a proxy for Epstein and have painted the alleged victims as money-hungry.