Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads Not Guilty in Sex-Trafficking Case (2)

Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty to charges that she helped her longtime friend, financier Jeffrey Epstein, run a sex-trafficking scheme targeting girls as young as 14.

The British socialite entered her plea Tuesday in her first hearing before a federal judge in Manhattan, where she will also be arguing to be released from custody on $5 million bail ahead of trial. Prosecutors are opposing bail, claiming Maxwell may flee.

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan set a July 12, 2021 trial date for Maxwell. Prosecutors told the judge their investigation was “ongoing” but they did not anticipate bringing additional charges ...