The death of Jeffrey Epstein – an alleged suicide in a high security detention center in Manhattan – was believed by many to be the end of the line for his victims’ chances at justice.
Epstein, who stood accused of child-sex trafficking, (again), was believed to be providing young girls to wealthy and powerful individuals for pleasure. Epstein would then allegedly used this knowledge, (or perhaps even secretly-obtained video of the encounters), to blackmail these elites persons for profit and protection.
When Epstein died, so too did the chances that his victims would be able to face him in court.
Authorities were lucky enough to arrest Epstein’s second-in-charge, Ghislaine Maxwell, and her case is now moving forward.
And boy, that case must be pretty troubling.
A federal judge on Thursday agreed with Ghislaine Maxwell’s request to keep certain details in the criminal case against her secret — finding that information would be too “sensational and impure” to reveal to the public.
US District Judge Alison J. Nathan issued a ruling on redactions that Maxwell had asked for regarding transcripts the government filed under seal last month.
“Those portions of the transcript, which were redacted in the civil matter, concern privacy interests and their disclosure would merely serve to cater to a ‘craving for that which is sensational and impure,’” Nathan wrote in the order.
The judge also granted redactions that prosecutors made when filing the transcript. Prosecutors had argued the redactions were necessary to “protect the integrity” of the investigation into Maxwell and to protect the privacy of third parties.
Maxwell is believed to have been a “procurer” for Epstein, corralling these child-sex workers for his nefarious purposes.
