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GHISLAINE Maxwell is under investigation by the US Virgin Islands for her alleged participation in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
The heiress, 58, already facing six charges in New York relating to the paedophile billionaire’s abuse, is also facing serious claims in the Caribbean, it emerged today.
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Officials on the islands gave notice of their investigation in a court filing on Friday, July 10, as they seek to intervene in a lawsuit she filed against Epstein’s estate.
The socialite sued earlier this year seeking reimbursement for legal fees, claiming Epstein had repeatedly promised her that he would support her financially.
Court papers said that the island’s Department of Justice “is investigating Maxwell’s participation in Epstein’s criminal sex trafficking and sexual abuse conduct”.
It is also using the case to subpoena Maxwell – to compel her to appear to before a court - a process the government of the island nation said she has evaded since March.
The filing states: “The government’s need to intervene is further fueled by Maxwell’s inappropriate use of the Virgin Islands courts to seek payment and reimbursement from the Epstein criminal enterprise, while she circumvents the service of process of government subpoenas related to her involvement in that criminal enterprise.”
Epstein was a resident of the US Virgin Islands for more than 20 years and owned two islands - Little St James and Great St James.
Little St James became known as ‘Pedo Island’, due to the vast numbers of women and young girls he trafficked onto it.
The government in the US Virgin Islands is seeking to claim Little St James as part of its legal effort.
Representatives for Maxwell were approached for comment.
Maxwell, the daughter of late British publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, is facing six charges in New York over the alleged grooming of young girls for Epstein.
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She was arrested at her mansion in New Hampshire on July 2 and is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centre.
The Briton is due to appear for a bail and arraignment hearing in the case on Tuesday, July 14.
Her legal team has requested she be freed on £4million bail, saying she is not a flight risk and might be at risk of catching the coronavirus in jail.