Ghislaine Maxwell, the 60-year-old socialite who once consorted with royals, presidents, and billionaires, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping the financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
According to CNN, the 60-year-old was convicted in December on five of six counts, including sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three related counts of conspiracy, The New York Times reports. Maxwell was acquitted on one charge of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.
To the victims, Maxwell said, “I am sorry for the pain that you experienced,” adding, “I hope my conviction and harsh incarceration” brings some closure.
“It is my sincerest wish to all those in this courtroom … that this day brings this terrible chapter to an end,” she said.
Maxwell also said, “It is the greatest regret of my life that I ever met Jeffrey Epstein.”
She called Epstein a “manipulative man” who was “cunning,” “controlling” and “fooled all of those in his orbit.”