Like Ghislaine Maxwell’s Conspiracy and sex trafficking trial ended last year, one of her attorneys stood up to provide the defense’s final words.
“Ghislaine Maxwell is an innocent woman falsely accused of crimes she did not commit,” attorney Laura Menninger told jurors.
Ms. Menninger’s Colorado law firm is currently suing Ms. Maxwell and her brother, Kevin Maxwell, for nearly $900,000 in legal fees. Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, is also suing a man named Scott Borgerson, who the company describes as married to Ms. Maxwell, alleging he tried to hide her assets from the public. creditors.
In a lawsuit filed in Denver, the company said it was concerned long before Ms. Maxwell’s criminal trial began in Federal District Court in Manhattan about its “willingness and ability to meet its obligations.” her finances.” The suit says the company was persuaded to continue the case and Mr. Maxwell personally secured the payment.
However, the company added, he failed to make the payment despite repeated promises, even as its attorneys continued “to devote all necessary resources to the defense of Ms. Maxwell. “
On November 29, the day Maxwell’s trial opened, the suit said, Mr. Maxwell assured one of the company’s shareholders that he would pay the unpaid fees and provide a test holder.
“In fact,” the suit said, “Mr. Maxwell does not currently intend to do so. “
In a statement, Ian Maxwell, Ghislaine and Kevin Maxwell’s brother, said: “As this matter is currently the subject of civil action, neither Kevin nor Ghislaine Maxwell nor any other members of the family Maxwell’s family will not comment on it.”
Speaking by phone on Thursday, Mr Borgerson said he had not attempted to store any possessions.
Lawyers for Haddon, Morgan and Foreman played a key role in Ms Maxwell’s month-long trial alleging that she helped disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein recruit, groom and abuse underage girls. Ms. Maxwell is the daughter of wealthy publisher Robert Maxwell, and was raised in a wealthy family that included mansions, exclusive schools and a family yacht. She moved to New York in 1991, and later fell in love with Mr. Epstein.
During Ms. Maxwell’s trial, Ms. Menninger was seen as her staunch defender. Outside provide a summary told jurors that Ms. Maxwell had been falsely accused and that the case presented by prosecutors was based on “false memories”, Ms. Menninger cross-examined two of the four women who testified that Ms. Maxwell allowed them to be abused.
Such cross-examination is often difficult for defense attorneys, who must weigh the need for strong protection for their clients against the risk of appearing callous or overly antagonistic to the victim.
Miss Menninger did not hold back, Strong interrogation a witness, identified in court as just Jane, and sought to portray her as unreliable and opportunistic. She suggestions that another person, Annie Farmer, can rely on from chaotic recollections.
Another corporate attorney, Jeffrey Pagliuca, squeeze a witness identified as Carolyn spoke of the apparent contradiction in accounts she gave in civil lawsuits and FBI interviews from more than a decade ago.
The complaint says that Haddon, Morgan and Foreman first represented Ms. Maxwell in a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Mr. Epstein of abusing her. That case was finally settled. Following her indictment in 2020, the lawsuit says, Ms. Maxwell asked the company to defend her against criminal charges, saying Kevin Maxwell would handle the payments and expenses.
Mr. Maxwell agreed to pay all bills when they were due and also to maintain a $100,000 balance in the customer’s escrow account, the company said. The lawsuit adds that Mr. Maxwell repeatedly failed to meet his obligations, made a number of sporadic payments while ignoring funding requests and providing what the lawsuit describes as false guarantees. that there will be more money.
On December 29, 2021, a jury sentenced Miss Maxwell. On January 3, the lawsuit said, she owed the company $956,671. Ten days later, Mr. Maxwell paid $143,500, the suit added, but has not made any payments since.
In its lawsuit, the company said Mr. Maxwell and an attorney who worked with the Maxwell family had repeatedly said Mr Borgerson, whom the suit says was “based on information and belief” was married to her. Maxwell in 2015 – controls her money and is responsible for delaying payments to the company.
Mr Borgerson on Thursday denied that he oversaw Ms Maxwell’s money and was responsible for the delayed payments, and said he would not discuss the matter. personal life.
The lawsuit goes on to say that Mr Borgerson and the limited liability companies associated with him purchased New England property using “Ms. Maxwell’s assets, either directly or through a trust, in an effort to shield them from creditors”.
Borgerson then sold one of those properties for $2.1 million, the lawsuit said, and listed another property that sold for more than $7 million, says Maxwell. there are no ownership shares in it.
Mr Borgerson said he had nothing to do with the payments to Haddon, Morgan and Foreman. As for his real estate transactions, Mr Borgerson added: “I did nothing wrong, illegal, incorrect or unethical.”
