ROYAL CRISIS
Prince Andrew’s lawyers ‘in emergency talks’ amid fears Ghislaine Maxwell could ‘name names’ after guilty verdict
PRINCE Andrew's lawyers were locked in emergency talks last night amid fears his pal Ghislaine Maxwell could "name names" following her guilty verdict, a report says.
now faces up to 65 years in prison after a New York court found she procured, groomed and trafficked young girls for her ex-lover .
4
4
Epstein survivor has launched a civil case against the Duke of York - who she alleges had sex with her when she was a teenage sex slave.
strongly denies the claims and all allegations of misconduct made against him.
The has sparked alarm in the Prince's legal team because the burden of proof in a criminal case is far higher than in a civil case, the reports.
Legal experts reportedly point to OJ Simpson who was acquitted in criminal court but was found guilty of double murder in a civil case.
Meanwhile, it has been claimed Maxwell could start "naming names" in a bid to cut her lengthy prison sentence.
The socialite, 60, and Andrew, 61, are believed to have known each other for the better part of two decades and she is alleged to have introduced him to Jeffrey Epstein.
Most read in News
She and the paedophile are believed to have been dating at the time - and the Duke is believed to have subsequently struck up a friendship with Epstein.
A legal source connected with Maxwell's case the guilty verdict could spell trouble for the royal.
“This could be bad news for Prince Andrew and other high-profile men who hung out with Ghislaine and Jeffrey Epstein," the source said.
“It is possible she will begin to co-operate and tell what she knows in an attempt to lessen her jail term.
“We know that prosecutors are looking at other co-conspirators in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex ring.
“Ghislaine undoubtedly possesses information which could assist prosecutors in other cases. If she decides to co-operate, her testimony could be devastating.
“She was Epstein’s right-hand woman for years, imagine what she knows?”
Maxwell was found not guilty of enticing a minor to engage in an illegal sex act - one of six charges against her.
Maxwell's conviction comes as:
- A legal source close to her case warned the guilty verdict could spell trouble for Prince Andrew.
- Andrew's sex assault accuser Virginia Roberts warned that "others must be held accountable".
- The socialite's family are said to have already launched an appeal.
- She will return to her hell-hole New York jail to await transfer to a federal prison.
- It's believed she may be sent to the low-security FCI Danbury in Connecticut.
- An expert described her potential future prison as "like Disneyland" compared to her current conditions.
Meanwhile, it's reported that Andrew's team claim Maxwell's trial was "disastrous" for his accuser after one victim named 'Carolyn' told the court Virginia Roberts introduced her to Epstein.
The Duke's lawyers are considering calling Carolyn to testify in the civil case along with other fellow Epstein victims, reports say.
read more on the sun
Virginia Roberts Giuffre vehemently denies any role in Epstein's sex ring.
Andrew’s friendship with Maxwell is reported to have become more prominent in the early noughties.
Former royal protection officer Paul Pageduring that time Maxwell was able to “just breeze into the Palace like she was one of the royal family”.
The Duke of York was first spotted with her and Epstein at a tennis tournament at Donald Trump's resort Mar-a-Lago in February 2000.
It was reported the duo were together at least eight times in the year 2000 - and were seen a various nightspots in London.
Andrew, Epstein, and Maxwell - along with Donald and his then girlfriend Melania - were pictured together in one striking image at Mar-a-Lago in December 2000.
And during this period, Epstein and Ghislaine are said to have introduced the royal to the then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts.
Now aged 38, she is suing Andrew alleging he sexually assaulted her in New York, London and on Epstein’s island.
He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and strongly refuted the allegations made in the lawsuit.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Epstein hanged himself in prison in New York in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking offences.
There is no suggestion that Trump knew of any wrongdoing.
4
4
The Charges
GHISLAINE Maxwell was found guilty of five out of six charges over her alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Those charges are:
- Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Sex trafficking conspiracy
- Sex trafficking of a minor
Maxwell was acquitted of the charge of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex
Topics