Justice Department documents and interview transcripts outline Maxwell’s participation in early planning and funding discussions tied to the Clinton Global Initiative.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Documents released by the Justice Department in its latest disclosure related to Jeffrey Epstein provide new details about Ghislaine Maxwell’s involvement in the early development of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), raising questions about the scope of her role despite prior public statements minimizing contact.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said she had met Maxwell “on a few occasions,” a statement that came amid renewed scrutiny of individuals connected to Epstein.
According to records summarized in reporting and interview transcripts, Maxwell told Justice Department officials last year that she played a “very central” role in helping establish CGI, the global conference and philanthropic initiative launched by former President Bill Clinton following his time in office. She also indicated that Epstein was involved in the effort.
Released materials have detailed Maxwell’s participation in early budget discussions for CGI’s inaugural conference, communications with Clinton aides, and coordination with Publicis Groupe, the firm responsible for producing CGI’s first event.
The records show Maxwell arranged to wire $1 million to Publicis for work on what was described in correspondence as the “Clinton project.” An email attributed to Epstein in response to wiring instructions read, “Ask him to tell you why i million now and where will it be going.” The New York Times noted that the origin of the funds for that payment remains unclear, including whether Epstein supplied the money.
Additional context from the Times reported that Maxwell’s involvement in launching CGI occurred in 2004, prior to Epstein’s 2006 indictment and 2008 guilty plea for solicitation of prostitution with a minor. Maxwell, the daughter of publishing executive Robert Maxwell, was later sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually exploit underage girls.
In her Justice Department interview, Maxwell said, “President Clinton was my friend, not Epstein’s friend.”
CGI was conceived as a global convening platform modeled in part on the annual Davos gathering, focusing on public-private partnerships and philanthropic commitments.
Angel Ureña, a spokesperson for the Clintons, said of the former president’s association with Epstein, “He knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes. When it became clear Epstein had no genuine interest in lifesaving philanthropic work, there was no reason for further contact. The facts are the facts and the truth is the truth, and they’re both on our side.”
Public records indicate Epstein made political donations in the 1990s, including contributions to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, $10,000 toward refurbishing the White House, and $20,000 to Hillary Clinton’s 1999 Senate campaign.
The Times also reported that Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s 2010 wedding with then-boyfriend Ted Waitt, a technology executive and donor to the Clinton Foundation.
Richard Attias, a former Publicis executive, said Maxwell had been instrumental in CGI’s formation. “She was in Davos with President Clinton, and this is when they realized the amazing impact of Davos and they came up with the idea of creating something similar, but with a different philosophy,” Attias said.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence following her conviction, as confirmed in the Justice Department’s release announcing her sentencing.
The Justice Department began releasing additional Epstein-related records after lawmakers passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation championed by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), requiring greater public disclosure of investigative materials tied to the case.
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