Ghislaine maxwell sues jeffrey epsteins estate over legal fees

Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, has filed a lawsuit against his estate, claiming that she is owed millions of dollars in legal fees.

According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Maxwell is seeking payment for legal fees she incurred while representing Epstein in various legal matters, including a 2008 plea deal in Florida and a 2015 civil lawsuit in the Virgin Islands.

The lawsuit alleges that Epstein's estate, which is controlled by his brother, Mark Epstein, has failed to pay Maxwell the agreed-upon legal fees, despite her efforts to collect the debt. The lawsuit seeks damages of at least $3.5 million, plus interest and legal fees.

Maxwell's lawsuit comes as she is facing her own legal troubles, including a criminal case in the United States related to her alleged role in facilitating Epstein's abuse of underage girls. Maxwell has denied any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The lawsuit also raises questions about the extent to which Epstein's estate is responsible for paying the legal fees of his associates, including Maxwell. Some legal experts have suggested that the estate may not be liable for the fees, as they were incurred by Maxwell in her capacity as a lawyer representing Epstein, rather than as a representative of the estate.

The lawsuit is the latest development in a long-running legal battle between Maxwell and Epstein's estate. In 2019, Maxwell sued the estate, alleging that it had failed to pay her a $1.5 million loan that she had made to Epstein. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.

It's worth noting that the lawsuit is not the only legal issue facing Maxwell. She is currently facing a criminal trial in the United States, where she is accused of facilitating Epstein's abuse of underage girls. The trial is expected to begin in the coming months.