Background
Johanna Sjoberg was a college student recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell around 2001 with the offer of connections to Epstein’s philanthropic and social networks. She worked as an assistant in Epstein’s circles for a period before ending the relationship.
What Her Deposition Described
Sjoberg’s deposition (taken in 2016 in the Giuffre v. Maxwell litigation) described:
- Being recruited by Maxwell and then abused by Epstein multiple times
- Being instructed by Maxwell to perform massages on Epstein
- A specific incident involving a stuffed puppet of Prince Andrew, during which both she and another individual were photographed in compromising positions
The Prince Andrew Reference
The puppet incident described by Sjoberginvolving a toy modeled after Prince Andrewbecame widely discussed during the Epstein-Andrew media coverage. It was one of the details that placed both Sjoberg’s account and a reference to Andrew in close proximity.
The January 2024 Release
Sjoberg’s deposition excerpts were among those released in the January 2024 unsealing of documents from the Giuffre v. Maxwell case. The deposition confirmed details about Maxwell’s direct recruitment and supervision role.
Significance
Sjoberg’s case, like many, illustrates how Epstein’s network functioned with Maxwell as the recruiter and day-to-day manager. Her account predates the Palm Beach investigation and independently corroborates patterns described by later victims.