Ghislaine Maxwell on ‘fishing expedition’ for explosive evidence from Jeffrey Epstein accusers: lawyers

STEPHEN REX BROWN - MAR 26, 2021

Ghislaine Maxwell wants to get her hands on a wide array of evidence from Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers, including a pair of cowboy boots that the sex offender bought for one young girl in the 1990s and a notorious photo of another victim with Prince Andrew, according to new court papers.

The details of Maxwell’s subpoena were revealed Friday in a Manhattan Federal Court filing by attorney Sigrid McCawley, who represents several Epstein accusers including Annie Farmer and Virginia Giuffre.

McCawley alleges in court papers that Maxwell is on an improper “fishing expedition” for evidence to back up the claim that the law firm of high-profile attorney David Boies conspired with federal prosecutors to orchestrate the British socialite’s downfall.

Maxwell seeks communications between the firm’s lawyers and the Southern District of New York, material from the out-of-court Epstein Victims Compensation Program and other evidence, according to the court filing.

She also wants a look at private information from the victims, including Farmer’s journal from when she was a teenager, and boots Epstein bought her as a young girl, the filing says.

Maxwell has also demanded photos of Farmer’s sister, Maria, on Victoria’s Secret founder Les Wexner’s property, and a photo of Giuffre with Prince Andrew and Maxwell in the early 2000s, according to the filing.

Taken together, the proposed demands highlight how explosive the Maxwell trial, currently scheduled for July, could be if Judge Alison Nathan allows evidence beyond the timeframe of Maxwell’s charges.

Maxwell is accused of procuring and grooming three underage Epstein victims in the mid-1990s — yet she seeks evidence on accusers beyond that timeframe. The judge must rule whether Maxwell can move forward with the subpoenas.

Wexner was once a close friend of Epstein. Giuffre, Epstein’s most outspoken accuser, says she was a “sex slave” for the multimillionaire financier and Maxwell. She claims Epstein lent her to Prince Andrew for sex in the early 2000s.

Maxwell has pleaded not guilty.

The Boies firm does not represent all of Maxwell’s alleged victims in her criminal case, raising the likelihood other lawyers will also fight her legal demands.

The Daily News previously reported that the Southern District opted not to pursue Epstein and Maxwell in 2016 after at least one meeting with Boies and other victims lawyers. Maxwell’s subpoena seeks further evidence about those discussions.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-subpoena-accusers-20210326-es2ghzhdbnecbmeadnop5phyri-story.html

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17318376/united-states-v-maxwell/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612/gov.uscourts.nysd.539612.183.0.pdf

First exit trafficking conviction in Australia

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A Sydney man who used threats, coercion and deception to force a woman and her child to return to India has become the first person in Australia to be convicted for an exit human trafficking offence.

The 29-year-old Lidcombe man was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment in the District Court of NSW on 21 January. He was charged for the milestone human trafficking investigation in 2017.

Operation Eastwater began when victim support and advocacy service Anti-Slavery Australia alerted the Australian Federal Police that a woman had been forced to India against her will.

Police facts tendered in court revealed the man had purchased a one-way ticket for the woman to travel from Sydney to India in March 2017.

The woman told police she feared for her life and was threatened with murder if she did not comply with this request. CCTV footage from Sydney International Airport on the date of departure recorded the visibly distressed woman having an argument with the man at the departures area before boarding the plane with her infant child.

In Australia, the Lidcombe man contacted Australian immigration authorities, and gave false information and adopted the identity of the woman in a bid to revoke her legal visa status to try and prevent her from returning to Australia.

The woman returned to Australia two months later and contacted Anti-Slavery Australia. The matter was referred to the AFP Human Trafficking team for further investigation.

The AFP executed a search warrant at the man’s Lidcombe home in September 2017 and served him with court attendance notice. In November 2017, he was arrested by the AFP at Sydney International Airport attempting to board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand.

He pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in persons (exit from Australia) contrary to section 271.2(1A) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is 12 years’ imprisonment.

In a Victim Impact Statement provided to the court, the victim told of the severe impact the exit trafficking has had on her life and her young daughter.

“Because of his actions, I live in constant fear and stress knowing the lengths he will go to find us and harm us. This fear and stress impacts my physical, emotional and mental health,” she said.

“I have to be careful about who we talk to and where we go, to make sure that our private information is not shared with him. I am very careful when I leave the house. I avoid leaving the house unless absolutely necessary.

“Because of his actions and threats, I am constantly worried about my daughter. I worry about this every day. I am always thinking about how to keep my daughter safe. This is very stressful for me. Ordinary things like going out to the shops or to the park has become more difficult because I fear for our safety.”

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AFP Commander Hilda Sirec said victims of human trafficking have many fears and vulnerabilities about coming forward to police, but it is important they know we are here to help.

“Human trafficking is not often discussed or even considered to be an issue in Australian society. It is often unreported, but the reality is that Australia is not immune to human trafficking and victims in our communities are suffering in silence,” Cmdr. Hilda said.

“It is thanks to brave people like the woman involved in this matter that our investigators were able to work with her to see justice done.

“AFP investigators in our human trafficking teams work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of all victims who come forward and seek an escape. Their cases are handled with compassion and great care.

“Our partnerships across the sector, including with NGOs, are crucial in ensuring this often hidden crime comes to the surface, is talked about and the signs are understood. Without the community’s help, it’s very difficult for our investigators to take appropriate action and help victims of human trafficking.”

The AFP is the lead Australian investigative agency for all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery. The National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25 was launched in December 2020. The Plan sets out the strategic direction to eradicate modern slavery, and to protect and support victims in Australia.

For the financial year 2019/2020, the AFP received 223 reports of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offences.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, help is available. For information and confidential advice please contact Australian Red Cross. Call (03) 9345 1800 or visit the Red Cross website.

https://www.redcross.org.au/stpp

For more information on human trafficking, including the signs a person may be at risked of being trafficked, visit Human trafficking | Australian Federal Police (afp.gov.au).

https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/crime-types/human-trafficking

Editor’s Note: CCTV footage available via hightail - https://spaces.hightail.com/space/1zy1ucfmld

https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/first-exit-trafficking-conviction-australia

Australia to join The Quad allies for La Perouse war game

Beijing is becoming increasingly belligerent with tensions rising each day. Now Australia has united with the world in a pushback against China.

Jamie Seidel - MARCH 27, 2021

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Australia will join its new Quad allies in a French naval exercise next month as the region steps up its co-operation in the face of an increasingly belligerent Beijing.

The French-led “La Perouse” war game will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal between April 5 and 7. The Australian anti-submarine warfare frigate HMAS Anzac will take part along with the supply ship HMAS Sirius.

The exercise comes as relations between Beijing and Paris plumb new depths. China’s ambassador to France snubbed a diplomatic summons after an intense “wolf warrior” attack on critics of the Chinese Communist Party’s policies.

It’s an experience Australia can relate to.

“Regular co-operation with our partners and neighbours is critical for maintaining a peaceful, inclusive, sovereign and resilient Indo-Pacific region, where the rights of all states are respected,” acting Minister for Defence Marise Payne said about the La Perouse exercise.

India has been invited to send ships for the first time, joining Japan and the United States.

It’s another indication of growing co-operation in the region.

Australia took part in India’s major “Malabar” war game for the first time in November last year.

China’s already busy nearby.

Two survey ships have been mapping the strategically crucial Malacca and Sunda Straits and the undersea mountain range that produces the Andaman Islands. Indonesia has recovered several Chinese long-range “swimmer” surveillance drones in recent months.

China analyst called a ‘crazed hyena’ by Beijing diplomats

France’s increased military co-operation in the Indo-Pacific comes as tensions flare between Paris and Beijing over a flurry of “unacceptable” insults.

China analyst Antoine Bondaz was labelled a “small-time thug”, an “ideological troll” and a “crazed hyena” by Beijing’s “wolf warrior” diplomats. And French parliamentarian Raphael Glucksmann was black-listed from ever visiting China after seeking to visit Taiwan.

The attack quickly escalated into a diplomatic incident. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian intervened.

“There is no place in Franco-Chinese relations for insults and attempts at intimidation against elected officials and researchers. We defend those who embody freedom of speech and democracy. Always and everywhere,” Mr Le Drian tweeted.

“The remarks by the Chinese Embassy in France and their actions against elected officials, researchers and EU diplomats are not acceptable.”

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The Communist Party’s Global Times English language news service accused Bondaz of being a “radical” anti-China propagandist aligned with the United States. Bondaz said the attack was “predictable” as he worked on “topics that are sensitive for Chinese political authorities”.

“These attacks aim in reality to stifle public debate in France in allowing the Chinese embassy to impose the subjects that can or cannot be discussed,” he told France24.

But, when summoned to explain his position to the French Foreign Ministry, China’s Ambassador Lu Shaye cited conflicting schedules for delaying his appearance.

France’s Europe Minister, Clement Beaune, said the delay was an insult: “When you are summoned as an ambassador, you pay a visit to the foreign ministry,” he said. “Neither France nor Europe is a doormat.”

Quad ‘plus’ talks

Australian and Indian officials will meet in New Delhi shortly after the warship exercise next month to discuss security issues, enhanced collaboration and COVID vaccine distribution.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also hold separate meetings with Mr Le Drian and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

“France is seen as a natural fit for working with the Quad as it has 1.5 million citizens on island territories within the Indo-Pacific, and 93 per cent its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of more than 11 million sq km is also within the region,” the Hindustan Times reports.

But defence isn’t the only issue being addressed by the Quad. Rare earths, technological co-operation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will also be raised.

But the critical issue will be COVID vaccination.

The Quad plans to deliver one billion doses of Indian-produced vaccines to developing nations by the end of next year. Australia has so far promised “last mile” delivery support for Pacific Island and Southeast Asian countries.

“Within ASEAN, privately, the governments are reportedly happy with the Quad’s vaccine initiative as there is a deficit in access to vaccines and a trust deficit where Chinese vaccines are concerned,” former ambassador Rajiv Bhatia said.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/australia-to-join-the-quad-allies-for-la-perouse-war-game/news-story/7359841f331627cc55736c94d0756e03

https://twitter.com/francediplo_EN/status/1374085943892840450

Marise Payne the ‘prime minister for women’ as Morrison adds women’s taskforce in reshuffle

David Crowe - March 29, 2021

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has launched a bid to recover from weeks of political damage over the treatment of women by naming a new cabinet team, shifting problem ministers and punishing a disgraced Liberal MP.

Mr Morrison named Peter Dutton as the country’s next Defence Minister and leader of the government in the House of Representatives and Michaelia Cash as the new Attorney-General and Industrial Relations Minister in the two biggest appointments in the changes.

Industry Minister Karen Andrews will be elevated to Minister for Home Affairs, replacing Mr Dutton and taking a high-profile position as one of the cabinet’s most senior women.

The Prime Minister has faced a wave of anger about the treatment of women in the six weeks since former Liberal adviser Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped in Parliament House in March 2019.

“These changes will shake up what needs shaking up,” he said. “What we must do is address the government’s agenda with the changes we are making.”

Mr Morrison said improvements for women would come from greater collaboration and working together, not from setting people against each other.

He also announced a new cabinet taskforce on women’s equality, safety, economic security, health and wellbeing. The taskforce will be co-chaired by Mr Morrison and the Minister for Women, Marise Payne, and will include all women from the ministry as well as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.

Mr Morrison also named Social Services Minister Anne Ruston as one of the cabinet’s leadership team, and Financial Services Minister Jane Hume will gain an additional portfolio, women’s economic security.

Mr Morrison called Senator Payne “effectively the prime minister for women” in her role as co-chair of the taskforce and Minister for Women, although he revised the title after a question from a journalist about whether he was not fit to be prime minister and should be the women’s prime minister.

“In relation to what I should probably call the primary minister for women, just to ensure that no one gets too carried away with the puns … what I’m trying to bring together is a team of ministers and Marise Payne as Minister for Women can bring all that together as a leader of that portfolio team,” he said.

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Amanda Stoker will become the assistant minister for women, while also assisting Michaelia Cash in the industrial relations and Attorney-General portfolios.

As expected, Mr Porter moves out of the Attorney-General’s portfolio due to concerns about any conflicts of interest in the portfolio while he takes defamation action against the ABC over its reporting of allegations of rape, which he denies.

Mr Porter will become Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, replacing Ms Andrews. A key factor in the move was concern in the government that dropping Mr Porter from cabinet and the ministry would send a message that an accusation was enough for ministers to lose their job.

Mr Morrison also removed Linda Reynolds from the defence portfolio while she takes leave over a heart condition. When she returns from leave next week, Senator Reynolds will become Minister for Government Services, remaining in cabinet.

Senator Reynolds was admitted to hospital on February 23 after a week of intense criticism of her actions following the alleged rape of Ms Higgins in her ministerial office two years earlier.

Mr Morrison has criticised Senator Reynolds over some of her response to the alleged rape in her office, saying it was “disgraceful” she called Ms Higgins a “lying cow” over the adviser’s claims she did not get enough support after the incident.

He also acknowledged that people in the government failed to give Ms Higgins enough support, even though they were trying to help.

Stuart Robert will move from government services to become Employment Minister, replacing Senator Cash.

In another key appointment, Mr Morrison restored Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price to cabinet in her existing portfolio.

The changes leave cabinet with seven women: Senator Payne, Senator Ruston, Senator Cash, Senator Reynolds, Ms Andrews, Ms Price and Environment Minister Sussan Ley.

Mr Morrison addressed calls for Andrew Laming to quit the Liberal National Party and move to the crossbench, saying Dr Laming had committed to undertake counselling, and that behavioural change is the preferred end result.

Dr Laming is facing calls to quit from within the Coalition, after allegations of online bullying and taking a photo of a woman’s bottom at her workplace without permission.

Coalition senator Sarah Henderson told Channel 7’s Sunrise on Monday that she was “not comfortable” being in the same party room as him.

The Queensland MP will leave politics at the next election and he will take immediate personal leave to undertake counselling after he conceded he did not understand how his actions affected other people.

Senator Payne said Mr Laming’s “behaviour is clearly inappropriate and he is taking steps to address that”.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-announces-cabinet-reshuffle-20210329-p57exa.html

Australian government backflips on secrecy push in Witness K court case

Shift surprises ABC during its attempt to stop commonwealth from automatically closing court proceedings

Christopher Knaus - 29 Mar 2021

Lawyers for the federal attorney general have flipped their position on secrecy in the Witness K case by abandoning a push to automatically close the court whenever sensitive material is raised.

The government’s sudden change of position had wasted “considerable time and expense” for Australian Broadcasting Corporation lawyers who were preparing to intervene to keep the case as open as possible, the ACT magistrates court heard on Monday.

The case against former intelligence officer Witness K is continuing to slowly make its way through the Canberra court. Witness K previously indicated he would plead guilty to an allegation he unlawfully shared secret information about an Australian spy operation against its impoverished ally, Timor-Leste, during negotiations to carve up oil and gas in the Timor Sea.

Witness K is described as a whistleblower and a hero by the people of Timor-Leste for his role in exposing the 2004 operation that diverted intelligence resources for commercial gain during the heightened threat environment following the Bali bombings.

The proceedings against Witness K and his former lawyer, Bernard Collaery, have been made opaque by the National Security Information Act, legislation designed to prevent sensitive national security information from being made public.

On Monday, Witness K’s case returned to the magistrates court so it could make orders on how those laws would be applied to his coming sentencing proceedings.

Lawyers for the attorney general – currently Michaelia Cash, acting in the role while Christian Porter is on leave – indicated they did not want to devise a regime that would see the court automatically closed whenever sensitive information was likely to be discussed.

The court heard the commonwealth wanted to keep proceedings as open as possible. That submission took lawyers for the ABC by surprise. The broadcaster had intervened in the case to stop the commonwealth from automatically closing the court throughout the proceedings.

ABC senior lawyer Hugh Bennett told the court the attorney general’s new position was “totally at odds” with previous correspondence from the commonwealth. He said the ABC had devoted “considerable time and expense” preparing an objection to the proposed regime that would have automatically closed the court.

Bennett suggested the court specifically note that orders made under the NSI Act did not “provide for the automatic closure of the court”. The magistrate, Glenn Theakston, agreed and thanked the ABC for appearing to ensure open justice occurred.

The case will return next month for mention and the sentencing hearing is currently expected to take place in June.

Collaery is fighting separate charges and is planning to take the matter to trial in the ACT supreme court.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/29/federal-government-backflips-on-secrecy-push-in-witness-k-court-case

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SA Premier Steven Marshall shouted down by protesters at China consulate opening

DAVID PENBERTHY - MARCH 30, 2021

Hundreds of protesters descended on the normally peaceful Adelaide suburb of Joslin to shout down Premier Steven Marshall as he formally opened China’s controversial South Australian consulate on Tuesday.

The angry protest was led by some 300 members of SA’s Uighur community, their numbers bolstered by dozens of residents of middle-class Joslin who are angry at having the imposing 5600 sqm compound constructed in their once-quiet suburb.

Fourth and Fifth Avenues were filled with police cars and some three dozen officers guarded the building as residents told The Australian they were disgusted their suburb had become a scene for such chaos.

They remain angry that approval had been given by the previous SA Labor Government for the consular mission.

Their anger was also directed at Premier Marshall for agreeing to open the consulate and taking the stage with China’s Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye, who was accused last year by Trade Minister Simon Birmingham of making “threats of coercion” against Australia.

Premier Marshall avoided facing the protesters by entering through the Fourth Avenue front entrance while the protesters were told by SA Police to assemble at the rear on Fifth Avenue.

As Mr Marshall spoke inside the white marquee erected for the occasion, protesters screamed and chanted through the railings on the 3m tall security fence to disrupt the opening.

The protest had disparate grievances with the Uighurs joined by Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Vietnamese community members, along with locals who were simply angry at the construction process and the high number of security cameras and motion sensors now facing their homes and the local playground.

“This is Australian land!” shouted former Joslin resident Heather Adams who returned to her old suburb armed with an Australian flag to join the protest with her former neighbours.

Mrs Adams, a former resident of Fourth Avenue, said she didn’t know a single person in Joslin who was happy the consulate was there.

“Just look at the damned thing — it’s a fortress,” Ms Adams told The Australian.

“I know people who have lived here for 40 years and suddenly this monstrosity turns up with all its cameras and huge walls in a suburb where everyone else has to abide by planning laws because it’s a heritage area.

“We have sold our soul as a nation to a communist regime that is trying to destroy South Aussie businesses and has no regard for human rights.

Adelaide’s Uighur 1000-strong community is the largest in Australia and represented by the East Turkistan Australian Association, with President Nurmuhammad Majid telling The Australian the consulate should be closed.

“We love this country, it has given us freedom from tyranny, so why do we let the country that has tortured us set up a home in the middle of Australia’s defence capital?” Mr Majid asked.

SA independent Senator Rex Patrick, who has accused the consulate of spying on SA’s defence industry, drew cheers from the crowd as he denounced Mr Marshall for attending.

“He is literally sleeping with the enemy,” Senator Patrick said.

“China is targeting our wineries and our farmers and meanwhile the Premier of South Australia is in there rolling out the red carpet for them.”

Senator Patrick called for a tougher approach from the Commonwealth to Beijing’s belligerence, saying that every time a hacking attack on Australia was proven to have originated from China, Canberra should expel one Chinese diplomat.

Mr Marshall has defended his decision to attend, telling Radio FiveAA this month that as Premier he met with many different national groups and that SA still had a strong economic and cultural relationship with China that he was trying to maintain for the good of SA business.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/sa-premier-steven-marshall-shouted-down-by-protesters-at-china-consulate-opening/news-story/da12653491f9cec0aae724f98e6f9c97