Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, is about to go on trial in Manhattan for sex trafficking charges after 15 months on remand. Prosecutors allege Maxwell, 59, participated in illegal conduct against girls as young as 14, sex-trafficked them with Epstein, and lied about her actions. The British socialite, who could face a prison sentence of up to 80 years, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial, which is expected to last between three and six weeks, is scheduled to start on Monday (Tuesday NZ time). And while it's Maxwell facing the charges, Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019, will be sharing centre stage. New York-based journalist Victoria Bekiempis is covering the trial for The Guardian.