https://www.foxnews.com/us/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-questioning-delay

Ghislaine Maxwell, the alleged madam of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, won a critical request on Friday to delay questioning in a civil suit filed against her on the grounds that her sworn testimony could incriminate her should there be a criminal case against her in the future.

"I'm permitting her not to respond to (written questions) and not to have her deposition," Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman said during her ruling. "Not forever, but at least long enough to let us know whether the claims process is likely to go forward."

Though Maxwell faces multiple lawsuits against her for her role in Epstein's alleged nefarious activities, Friday's ruling specifically dealt with a lawsuit filed by Annie Farmer.

Earlier this month, Maxwell's lawyer, Laura Menninger, asked the federal judge to stay Maxwell's deposition.

"The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York has publicly and repeatedly announced its 'ongoing' criminal investigation into alleged Epstein 'co-conspirators' on the same topic as (Farmer) alleges in this case," Menninger wrote to the court.

She added: "Denial of a stay, particularly a stay of Ms. Maxwell's deposition, pending outcome of the criminal investigation could impair her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, extend criminal discovery…, expose the defense's theory to the prosecution in advance of trial, or otherwise prejudice the criminal case."