EXCLUSIVE: Is Ghislaine Maxwell hiding out at Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch? New court docs reveal she's requesting Annie Farmer's civil case be moved to New Mexico where the 16-year-old 'was sexually assaulted'

  • Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney asked a judge to move Annie Farmer's civil lawsuit to New Mexico in court papers filed in New York last Thursday 
  • The location request raises new questions about Maxwell's whereabouts 
  • Farmer, 40, has accused Epstein and Maxwell of sexually assaulting her at age 16 at the pedophile's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico 
  • She claims that in the spring of 1996 Maxwell touched her intimate parts against her will during a massage at Epstein’s ranch and exposed her breasts to Farmer 
  • The filing comes as Maxwell has largely been a ghost since Epstein's arrest last summer,  as questions about her whereabouts continue to follow her 
  • Lawyer Laura Menninger argued Maxwell's deposition in the civil case could implicate her in federal prosecutors' investigation
  • The 58-year-old British socialite is accused of facilitating Epstein's sex trafficking ring

Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell has asked a federal judge to move a civil case brought by one of the pedophile's victims to New Mexico, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com.

Maxwell made the request in legal papers filed in the Southern District of New York last Thursday, raising new questions about Maxwell's whereabouts.

Annie Farmer, who claims Maxwell and Epstein sexually assaulted her aged 16 at the disgraced financier's New Mexico ranch, is seeking damages from Maxwell and Epstein's $634 million estate. 

But Maxwell argues that Farmer, who is now 40, has brought up her complaint 'years too late' and it should be thrown out. 

To bolster her argument, Maxwell points out that the alleged assault is said to have occurred in New Mexico, so if the case were to proceed, it should be transferred there. 

The filing comes as Maxwell has largely been a ghost since Epstein's arrest last summer, as questions about her where she is continue to follow the British socialite.  

Annie Farmer, who claims Maxwell and Epstein sexually assaulted her aged 16 at the disgraced financier's New Mexico ranch, is seeking damages from Maxwell and Epstein's $634 million estate
Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell has asked a federal judge to move a civil case brought by Farmer to New Mexico, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com

Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell has asked a federal judge to move a civil case brought by one of the pedophile's victims to New Mexico, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com. Annie Farmer (left), who claims Maxwell and Epstein sexually assaulted her aged 16 at the disgraced financier's New Mexico ranch, is seeking damages from Maxwell and Epstein's $634 million estate

Farmer's suit claims that in the spring of 1996 Maxwell touched her intimate parts against her will during a massage at Epstein¿s ranch (pictured) and exposed her breasts to Farmer

Farmer's suit claims that in the spring of 1996 Maxwell touched her intimate parts against her will during a massage at Epstein’s ranch (pictured) and exposed her breasts to Farmer

Maxwell was seen in public just once since Epstein was arrested last summer after DailyMail.com exclusively tracked her down to the small coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea in Massachusetts.

She had been staying at the home of her boyfriend. Her sister, who lives in Texas, was later seen in the area packing up bags.

But an image was released of Maxwell in California eating at an In-N-Out location shortly after DailyMail.com revealed that she she had been staying in Massachusetts.

Ever since, Maxwell's whereabouts have been largely unknown but she had spent long periods of time at Epstein's Zorro ranch during their years together. 

Farmer's suit claims that in the spring of 1996 Maxwell touched Farmer's intimate parts against her will during a massage at Epstein’s ranch and exposed her breasts to Farmer. 

In court papers from last week, Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 'complaint is years too late, lacks the required specificity, and is filed in the wrong court.'

The filing adds: 'It describes events that allegedly occurred nearly three decades ago, and it details alleged conduct by Mr. Epstein while referring to Ms. Maxwell as an afterthought. 

'When the complaint does allege conduct by Ms. Maxwell, it alleges conduct that occurred in New Mexico, not New York. 

'This Court, therefore, should dismiss the complaint or transfer the case against Ms. Maxwell to the District of New Mexico.'

In court papers from last week, Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 'complaint is years too late, lacks the required specificity, and is filed in the wrong court'

In court papers from last week, Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 'complaint is years too late, lacks the required specificity, and is filed in the wrong court'

Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 1996 claims 'expired sometime in 1999' because New Mexico has a 'three-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions and minors have one year from reaching the age of majority to begin such an action'. Pictured: Farmer as a teen

Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 1996 claims 'expired sometime in 1999' because New Mexico has a 'three-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions and minors have one year from reaching the age of majority to begin such an action'. Pictured: Farmer as a teen

Maxwell's lawyer states that Farmer's 1996 claims 'expired sometime in 1999' because New Mexico has a 'three-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions and minors have one year from reaching the age of majority to begin such an action'.

Five days after requesting to move the case to New Mexico, Maxwell's attorney, Laura Menninger asked to delay Farmer's case, saying it could interfere with the ongoing criminal case against the British socialite. 

The 58-year-old is also under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York after she was accused of recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein.  

In a letter sent to federal judge, Menninger argued Maxwell's deposition in Farmer's suit could implicate her in the ongoing criminal case. 

'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 said.

'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.'   

Maxwell is under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York over allegations she helped facilitate Epstein's sex trafficking ring

Maxwell is under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York over allegations she helped facilitate Epstein's sex trafficking ring 

The lawsuit is just one of several civil cases that have been launched by Epstein's victims following his death last year

The lawsuit is just one of several civil cases that have been launched by Epstein's victims following his death last year

Farmer's lawyer, David Boises responded to the request on Monday calling it 'meritless' and 'another attempt to unjustifiably delay this litigation.'

He also argued Maxwell has not provided enough information on the criminal probe or her relation to it, to ask for delay in her deposition. 

'Maxwell therefore cannot use the existence of a criminal investigation to dodge her discovery obligations in this matter, particularly while at the same time refusing to provide any details or reasons as to why the investigation is a reason to stay the action,' he wrote. 

The lawsuit is just one of several civil cases that have been launched by Epstein's victims following his death last year.

Maxwell, meanwhile, has managed to lay low and is believed to be in hiding as the FBI's net closes around Epstein's circle. 

In March, she sued Epstein's estate claiming 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.