Kathmandu— Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and associate of Jeffrey Epstein, will remain in prison after a U.S. federal judge rejected her petition to overturn her five felony convictions. Judge Paul Engelmayer dismissed Maxwell’s post-conviction challenge, finding her claims “meritless” and “frivolous.” Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for aiding Epstein in the recruitment and sexual abuse of underage girls over a decade ago, with eligibility for release set for 2037. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals had previously upheld the verdict in 2024, and the Supreme Court declined to hear a further appeal last October.

Maxwell's Claims Based on Released Files

Maxwell, representing herself, filed her petition under Section 2255, which allows convicted defendants to challenge their sentences. Her argument centered around records released through the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), a law passed in November 2025 that mandated the Department of Justice to make related files public. Maxwell asserted that these materials supported claims that her constitutional rights were violated during both her trial and sentencing.

However, Judge Engelmayer found that the released material actually strengthened the case against Maxwell. He wrote that the information, “far from exculpating her, it incriminates her or reinforces the correctness of the legal rulings Maxwell challenges.”

Contradictions in Maxwell's Account

The judge also pointed out inconsistencies within Maxwell’s own filings and statements. Regarding a sentencing enhancement that increased her prison term due to allegations of a leadership role in Epstein’s scheme, Maxwell argued she had largely distanced herself from Epstein by 2002.

Yet, in a July 2025 interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Maxwell described continuing to manage Epstein’s properties and staff for years afterward. This contradiction undermined her claims of limited involvement.

Lack of Cooperation and 'Virtuous Prosecution'

Engelmayer further noted that Maxwell had not implicated any other individuals in the child sex abuse scheme and did not even acknowledge Epstein's guilt in her filing. He described the case against her as “the epitome of a virtuous prosecution” and certified that any appeal of his ruling would be without merit.

Maxwell remains incarcerated, with no immediate prospects for release. Judge Engelmayer’s decision effectively closes off further legal challenges based on the arguments presented in Maxwell's petition.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.