What did Johanna Sjöberg’s deposition reveal?
Johanna Sjöberg is a Swedish-born woman who worked for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell beginning around 2000, when she was approximately 21 years old. Her deposition testimony became a significant piece of evidence in civil proceedings and informed public understanding of how the operation worked.
Who She Is: Sjöberg was recruited in New York by Maxwell and worked as a personal assistant and masseuse for Epstein. Her deposition was taken in civil proceedings related to Giuffre v. Maxwell.
Key Revelations: Sjöberg’s deposition described:
- The structured nature of Epstein’s trafficking operation, including how Maxwell directed young women to perform sexual acts under the guise of massages
- How Maxwell normalized the abuse and acted as a supervisor or trainer
- Specific incidents at Epstein’s properties in New York and elsewhere
The Photo Incident: Most prominently, Sjöberg described a photograph in which she and Virginia Roberts (Giuffre) are each seated on the laps of Epstein and Prince Andrew, with a hand puppet. She indicated the puppet was on Prince Andrew’s hand touching her in an inappropriate manner. This account corroborated Giuffre’s description of meeting Prince Andrew.
Role in the Maxwell Case: Her testimony helped establish Maxwell’s active operational role rather than that of a passive bystander, supporting prosecutors’ argument that Maxwell was a willing and instrumental co-conspirator.
Public Access: Her deposition was unsealed as part of broader document releases in 2020 and 2024, contributing to public understanding of the network’s operations.