New York (AFP) - British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has sued the estate of her former boyfriend, the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying she knew nothing about his sex crimes.
Maxwell is seeking compensation for legal fees and security costs incurred by her association with Epstein, who committed suicide in prison last year, court documents show.
The complaint -- filed March 12 in the Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a private estate -- says Maxwell "had no involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's alleged misconduct."
Epstein, 66, hanged himself in a New York cell in August while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking minors for sex.
Several of his accusers have said Maxwell, the daughter of late newspaper baron Robert Maxwell, maintained a network of girls to perform sexual favors for Epstein.
US prosecutors want to speak to Maxwell -- as well as Britain's Prince Andrew, who was friends with Epstein -- but have not charged her with any offence.
In the lawsuit, 58-year-old Maxwell says she was employed by Epstein from 1999 to at least 2006 to manage his properties.
She insists that the administrator of Epstein's assets assured her of financial support in case his alleged victims took legal action against her.
Maxwell, whose whereabouts are unknown, says in the suit that she has received numerous death threats, which led her to fear for her safety and hire security.
Earlier this month, New York prosecutor Geoffrey Berman said Prince Andrew had "completely shut the door" on cooperating with the FBI in its investigation into Epstein.
Andrew has denied having sex with Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked to have sex with friends of Epstein when she was 17.
