Ghislaine Maxwell may testify before Congress. A look at other convicted criminals who've done so
Share this @internewscast.com

The U.S. Congress is preparing to summon controversial testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for her role in aiding financier Jeffrey Epstein in the sexual abuse of underage girls.

Should this pursuit be successful, Maxwell could be included in the ranks of notable individuals — from mobsters to white-collar criminals — who have reshaped political narratives and personal reputations through congressional testimonies following criminal convictions.

The demands for a public interrogation of Maxwell arise three years into her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, conspiracy, and the transportation of a minor for illegal sexual acts. Maxwell’s offenses have been brought back into public focus as calls intensify for President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice to disclose information on Epstein’s criminal activities, which are entangled with conspiracy theories previously touted by the president himself.

Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell’s links to famous people, including royals, presidents and billionaires.

Maxwell, for her part, has always maintained her innocence.

Recently, the Trump administration has promised “to release all credible evidence” about the Epstein case. His efforts ran into a roadblock when a judge on Wednesday rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations of Epstein years ago in Florida — raising the stakes even higher for Maxwell’s testimony.

Here is a look at the history of explosive congressional testimony from powerful people convicted of serious crimes.

Former ally Michael Cohen, 2019

It is not the first time in recent years that Congress has summoned someone convicted of a crime to investigate allegations that involve the president.

As recently as 2019, Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen cast the president as a racist conman in testimony to Congress, shortly after Cohen was sentenced to a three-year prison sentence for campaign finance violations, tax fraud and bank fraud.

Cohen accused Trump, then in his first term, of using his inner circle to cover up politically damaging allegations about sex with a porn actress, and of lying throughout the 2016 election campaign about his business interests in Russia.

Michael Milken, 1993

Wall Street figure Michael Milken was able to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation in 1993, less than a year after he was released from prison for violating U.S. securities laws by selling junk bonds. In fact, he was later celebrated for talking about ways to increase investment in urban areas in his testimony before the Congressional Black Caucus, according to the Washington Post’s reporting at the time.

It was the second time that Milken was asked to testify in front of Congress: the first time was in 1990, when he invoked the 5th Amendment to avoid answering questions about his fraud schemes.

Milken was granted clemency in 2020 by Trump during his first term.

Jack Ruby, 1964

Decades before the Epstein case, Congress sought to clarify rampant conspiracy theories about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

In 1964, a seven-man commission went to the Dallas County Jail to interview Jack Ruby, the man who was sentenced to death for killing Lee Harvey Oswald after Oswald shot Kennedy.

The commission interrogated Ruby about his political affiliations and motivations for killing Oswald, according to records from the National Archives.

The interview with Ruby led the commission to conclude that Ruby acted alone in killing Oswald, according to the National Archives, despite widespread rumors that the murder was part of a cover-up.

Joseph Valachi, 1962

In the 1950s and 1960s, Congress formed numerous committees to investigate the mafia and it’s influence on government.

In 1962, member of the Genovese crime family Joseph Valachi became the first mobster to publicly acknowledge the existence of the American mafia, according to the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. Broadcast to millions watching televisions across the country, Valachi captivated public attention with graphic details about the crimes he had committed.

Valachi’s criminal record was extensive: When he testified before Congress, he was facing a life sentence for killing someone in prison while he was serving a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking. He arrived at the Capitol building guarded by 200 U.S. Marshals, as rumors circulated that the mobster Vito Genovese was offering $100,000 for Valachi’s execution.

Congress’ fixation on organized crime at that time inspired a major plot point in the 1972 movie “The Godfather Part Two,” when Michael Corleone insists on his innocence in a trial before the Senate.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Strike averted: Musicians' union reaches tentative deal with Broadway league

Musicians’ Union and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement, Preventing Strike

NEW YORK — Broadway musicians have successfully brokered a preliminary deal with…
No CTA trains will run on Chicago Loop elevated rails this weekend for track work, including Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines

Chicago Loop Train Shutdown: No CTA Service on Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines This Weekend Due to Track Maintenance

Attention, commuters! This weekend, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced a…
Man accused of killing teacher wife after wandering shirtless and warning of ‘too many cops’ nearby: police

Shirtless Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Teacher Wife, Claims ‘Too Many Cops’ Were Close: Police Report

A Texas man has been taken into custody following allegations that he…
US chess grandmaster’s mom speaks out as questions remain over death, Russian rival faces probe

Mother of U.S. Chess Grandmaster Breaks Silence Amid Ongoing Investigation into Russian Rival Following Son’s Mysterious Death

In a heartfelt revelation, the mother of Daniel Naroditsky, a former grandmaster…
Chicago teacher accused of mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination portrayed as victim by school principal

Chicago Educator Allegedly Mocks Charlie Kirk Assassination, School Principal Defends Her Actions

The principal of a Chicago elementary school appeared to frame a controversial…
California police officer struck and killed by car while stopping to help driver

Tragic Loss: California Officer Fatally Struck While Heroically Assisting Stranded Driver

The La Mesa Police Department is grieving the loss of one of…
Massie Faces Trump-Backed Primary Challenge Kentucky Race

Massie vs. Trump: High-Stakes Showdown in Kentucky’s Pivotal Primary Race

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is preparing for a fierce primary battle…
4 family members of Illinois governor candidate killed in Montana helicopter crash, campaign says

Tragedy Strikes: Four Relatives of Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Perish in Montana Helicopter Crash, Campaign Reports

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A tragic helicopter crash in Montana has claimed…
Former New York state trooper sentenced to 6 months in prison after faking his own shooting: 'disgraceful'

Ex-New York Trooper Jailed for Six Months Over Fake Shooting Incident: Described as ‘Disgraceful

A former New York state trooper received a six-month jail sentence on…
Man linked to Hamas attack on Israel indicted in Louisiana for conspiring to support terrorist group

Louisiana Man Charged with Conspiracy in Connection to Hamas Attack on Israel

A Louisiana resident has been formally charged in connection with the October…
Suspect Keon King charged with murder in death of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott; new details revealed

Philadelphia Tragedy: Keon King Faces Murder Charges in Kada Scott’s Death – Latest Updates Unveiled

PHILADELPHIA — Keon King, the man initially arrested in connection with the…
A Trump supporter wearing an inflatable costume is attacked in moving gif

Shocking Video: Man in Inflatable Trump Costume Assaulted at ‘No Kings’ Protest in Blue State

A man from Massachusetts has been officially charged after reportedly attacking a…