Ghislaine Maxwell's defence kicked off its case in the British socialite's sex abuse trial on Thursday, calling a former assistant to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein as its first witness.
Since the trial began on November 29, the jury has heard evidence from four women who said Maxwell groomed them between 1994 and 2004 for abuse by Epstein.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges.
Cimberly Espinosa said that she was hired as a legal assistant to Epstein's company in 1996. She said she then changed roles to work as Ms Maxwell's executive assistant from November of 1996 until 2002.
“We were together just about every day,” she said.
Under questioning by Ms Maxwell's lawyer Christian Everdell, Ms Espinosa said that she worked with several other women who were receptionists or executive assistants to Epstein and Ms Maxwell.
Ms Espinosa said Ms Maxwell was a demanding boss but that she learnt a lot from her.
“I highly respected Ghislaine,” Ms Espinosa said. “I looked up to her very much.”
Ms Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to charges she acted as Epstein’s chief enabler, recruiting and grooming young girls for him to abuse during sexual massages.
Ms Maxwell was once Epstein’s girlfriend before becoming a trusted employee.
Witnesses gave evidence saying that the pair exploited them between 1994 and 2004 at Epstein’s luxury homes, including an estate in Palm Beach, Florida, his Manhattan town house and a ranch in New Mexico.
Defence lawyers have argued that Ms Maxwell is a “convenient stand in” for Epstein.
The start of the defence case already sparked the usual speculation about whether the high-profile accused will take the witness box in her own defence — a gamble that is almost never taken.
Either way, US District Judge Alison Nathan will have to receive direct confirmation from Ms Maxwell about her decision before the defence can rest.
She was once Epstein’s girlfriend before becoming a trusted employee.
The defence has insisted that Ms Maxwell is being made a scapegoat for alleged sex crimes by Epstein. Her lawyers have sought to show that the accusers exaggerated her involvement at the behest of lawyers seeking payouts for the women from civil claims against the Epstein estate.
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
