A woman called "Jane" testified Tuesday that she was recruited and groomed by Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 14 years old to have sex with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Now an adult, Jane went into graphic detail on the stand, saying she was inexperienced and "frozen in fear."
"I was terrified and felt gross and, like, I felt ashamed," Jane said during Day Two of Maxwell's criminal trial.
Jane, testifying under a pseudonym, recounted the day in 1994 when she met Maxwell and Epstein at a summer camp in Michigan for gifted children. She was sitting with her friends at a picnic table when she was approached by the couple. Epstein introduced himself as a wealthy donor who provided scholarships to young people. When they found out Jane lived in Florida, the couple asked for her number.
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"What Jane didn't know then was that this meeting at summer camp was the beginning of a nightmare that would last for years," said prosecutor Lara Pomerantz. "What she didn't know then was that this man and woman were predators."
Jane told jurors Maxwell befriended her, taking on a big sister role, and described the British socialite as "odd but nice."
The couple took her on shopping trips, to the movies, and Epstein regularly gave her hundreds of dollars, knowing her family needed the money, Pomerantz said.
Jane testified she would go to Epstein's Palm Beach mansion about once a week but that things took an uncomfortable turn when Maxwell started bringing up the topic of sex. One day, the talk turned physical.
Jane testified she had her first sexual encounter with Epstein while the two discussed her future.
Epstein allegedly told her he could introduce her to talent agents and help her professionally. Then he led her to his pool house, where he sat down on the couch, pulled down his sweatpants, and pulled her on top of him. The abuse lasted for years, Jane said.
When asked if there was ever anyone else in the room when there was sexual contact, Jane replied, "Ghislaine Maxwell."
Maxwell's attorney, Bobbi Sternheim, countered that Jane's recollection was more theatrical than factual.
"She's a pro at playing roles," Sternheim said, asserting that Jane had changed her story in order to profit from a compensation fund set up for Epstein's victims.
Sternheim also pointed out that Jane is a working actress and singer who has been cast in commercials, sitcoms, and movies. She is currently on a soap opera.
Sternheim also told jurors that Jane initially didn't want to be involved in any criminal case concerning Epstein but that she changed her mind after he died in 2019. Jane hired a lawyer and decided to help prosecutors, believing the move would help her secure a settlement.
"When money was on the line, she changed her mind," Sternheim said.
Jane testified she received more than $2 million from the victim fund and, as a result, agreed to dismiss a 2020 civil suit she brought against Maxwell and Epstein's estate. She added that she has no financial stake in the outcome of Maxwell's criminal trial.
Jane is one of four alleged victims scheduled to testify in the case against Maxwell, who is accused of helping Epstein recruit, groom, and sexually abuse young women.
Maxwell, the daughter of the late British media mogul Robert Maxwell, faces six counts of trafficking-related charges, including enticing minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. She is also accused of conspiracy, including using one of Epstein's alleged victims to recruit other girls to participate in "paid sex acts with Epstein." She's also charged with perjury for allegedly lying under oath during depositions in a civil lawsuit against her.
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Epstein died more than two years ago. A New York City medical examiner determined he died from suicide while behind bars in 2019 after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell, who was arrested in July 2020 at her sprawling New Hampshire estate, has vehemently denied the accusations against her and said she's being used as a scapegoat because the public wants someone to punish for Epstein's actions.
Earlier on Tuesday, the pilot for Epstein's "Lolita Express" private jet testified that former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump were among a long list of VIP frequent fliers.