A US federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s attempt to overturn her sex trafficking conviction, ruling on Tuesday that her claims of constitutional violations were without merit.

Maxwell (64) is serving a 20-year prison sentence and remains the only person convicted of crimes linked to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 whilst awaiting trial.

Judge Paul Engelmayer dismissed Maxwell’s arguments, stating that her claims regarding trial and sentencing violations “are all meritless and all or almost all are frivolous”.

The British socialite was convicted in 2021 of supplying underage girls to Epstein, whose connections to business executives, politicians, celebrities and academics have generated years of public scrutiny and conspiracy theories.

President Donald Trump’s administration released large volumes of investigative files relating to Epstein last year under new legislation, drawing renewed public attention to the case. High-profile figures including Britain’s Prince Andrew have faced public disgrace over their associations with Epstein.

Maxwell was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee in February to discuss her relationship with Epstein but refused to answer questions. Her lawyer said she would only speak if Trump granted her clemency.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear Maxwell’s appeal of her sex trafficking conviction in October last year.

Trump, who maintained a years-long relationship with Epstein, initially opposed releasing the Epstein files, prompting cover-up accusations during his first year back in office. The Republican has denied any connection to Epstein’s crimes.

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