GHISLAINE MAXWELL CHEAT SHEET: What happened? What’s to come?

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The first week of the sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell left the British socialite’s character battered and bruised.

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Maxwell, 59, is charged with eight counts of sex trafficking and separate perjury charges for her role in one-time paramour and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein’s underage sex schemes.

The publishing heiress has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial is expected to last six weeks.

If convicted, Maxwell could be caged until she’s 94-years-old — and there’s not a lot of red carpet in federal prisons.

WHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. federal prosecutors have been unequivocal in painting a picture of Maxwell as the leading lady in a sordid sex trafficking effort designed to serve pedophile Epstein and his powerful friends with underage girls and other young women.

The first alleged victim to testify was named “Jane” and she said she was 14-years-old and a music student when she fell into the couple’s orbit. She said the couple recruited her and the first time she allegedly had sex with Epstein, Maxwell was in the room. She also detailed all-girl orgies with Maxwell as a participant and Epstein never far away.

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Also taking the witness stand was the Palm Beach estate’s housekeeper, Juan Alessi, who testified about Maxwell’s “imperious” manner and her absurd 48-page booklet of household rules. Alessi also recalled seeing half-naked teenage girls lounging around the pool and finding sex toys after Epstein’s daily massages. He returned them to Maxwell’s room.

Longtime Epstein pilot Larry Visoski hit CONTROL B for boldface , naming Epstein’s prominent pals who flew on the Lolita Express. Among them? Prince Andrew, and former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. And teen girls, although Visoski said he never saw any of the reputed orgies on the jet.

THE PROSECUTION

So far, U.S. federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz has been flawless in presenting the case against Maxwell. The feds are painting Maxwell as a willing participant in the disturbing events at far-flung mansions owned by Epstein, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a New York City jail cell in August 2019.

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THE DEFENCE

As expected, Maxwell’s legal eagles are using the “blame-Epstein” defence and picking away at the prosecution’s witnesses, particularly alleged victim “Jane.” Attorney Bobbi Sternheim is zeroing in on the soap opera actress’s credibility and claiming this is just another role that’s driven by a lust for cash.

TEAM MAXWELL

It must be tough for her family members to sit through the mountain of lurid allegations against their youngest sister. But sister Isabel, and brothers Ian and Kevin have withstood the onslaught and are still telling anyone willing to listen that Ghislaine is innocent.

QUOTE

“She knew what was going to happen to those girls.” — U.S. federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz in her opening address.

WHAT’S NEXT?

It’s expected that the prosecution will trot out more alleged victims this week as they continue to try to draw Maxwell deeper into the warped mosaic around Epstein.

bhunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun