Ghislaine Maxwell was dangerous predator, prosecutor says

Ghislaine Maxwell was a dangerous and sophisticated predator who caused 'deep and lasting harm' to young girls by recruiting and grooming them to be sexually abused by financier Jeffrey Epstein, a prosecutor told jurors Monday during closing arguments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Moe told the jury that Epstein could not have preyed on teenage girls for more than a decade without the help of the British socialite, who she described as the "lady of the house" as Epstein abused girls at a New York mansion, a Florida estate and a ranch in New Mexico.

"Ghislaine Maxwell was dangerous," Moe told jurors who were spaced apart in a courtroom where numerous pandemic precautions were taken. "Maxwell and Epstein committed horrifying crimes."

The prosecutor said Maxwell was a "sophisticated predator who knew exactly what she was doing. She ran the same playbook again and again and again."

"She manipulated her victims and groomed them. She caused deep and lasting harm to young girls. It is time to hold her accountable," Moe said.