Maxwell Takes 5th in Short Deposition, Sought Clemency

Lawmakers tried Monday to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, but the former girlfriend and confidante of Jeffrey Epstein invoked her 5th Amendment rights to avoid answering questions that would be incriminating.

She was questioned during a video call to the federal prison camp in Texas where she’s serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.

She’s come under new scrutiny as lawmakers try to investigate how Epstein, a well-connected financier, was able to sexually abuse underage girls for years. The deposition comes on the same day that the Department of Justice began allowing members of Congress to review unredacted files related to Epstein files, according to a letter that was sent to lawmakers.

President Donald Trump has lashed out at reporters raising questions about the Epstein files, demanding that the country “get onto something else,” but that’s highly unlikely. Many of the documents haven’t been released, and many of those now public were heavily redacted.

Republican Rep. James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, came under pressure to hold the Maxwell deposition as he pressed to enforce subpoenas on former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

After Comer threatened them with contempt of Congress charges, they both agreed to sit for depositions later this month.

An attorney for Maxwell told lawmakers that she would be willing to testify that neither President Donald Trump nor former President Bill Clinton were culpable for wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, according to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who exited a closed-door deposition with Maxwell.

Democrats argued that Maxwell’s assertion was an appeal to Trump to end her prison sentence.

"It’s very clear she’s campaigning for clemency," said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat.

Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted. The Supreme Court rejected her appeal but she has asked a federal judge in New York to consider what her attorneys describe as "substantial new evidence" that her trial was spoiled by constitutional violations.

The Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, said it was "very disappointing" that Maxwell declined to participate in the deposition.

CEO addresses backlash over $300M solar farm in Stockton powering Meta data center

MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — The chief executive officer and co-founder of Silicon Ranch, a Nashville-based company, that's building a massive $300 million solar farm in Stockton is addressing concerns people have with the project. Reagan Farr says his company is purchasing 4,500 acres and putting solar panels that are made by First Solar in north Alabama on roughly 2,000 acres. It will generate 260 megawatts of energy that Alabama Power will use to power Meta's new data center in Montgomery.

"Solar done right can be a tremendous attribute for the communities where we locate," said Farr.

The decision to locate in rural Stockton near the Mobile-Tensaw Delta has shocked and upset many people who live nearby. Neighboring property owners say they don't want to look out their windows and see thousands of acres of solar panels, where there's now timber. Farr says while site plans aren't finalized, they do try to leave visual buffers. One of the reasons he says they're buying more than twice the amount of land they need is because they build around existing wetlands and don't disturb them.

"We're very used to designing around sensitive environmental areas, and take that very seriously as part of our environmental stewardship mission," said Farr.

Farr says in almost every place they've developed a solar farm, people have formed a 'Stop Solar' group on Facebook. He says in these groups misinformation is spread about solar panels leaching toxic materials.

"There has never been one instance of solar modules from First Solar leaching toxic chemicals into the ground. That's a complete myth. It's bad information that's out on the internet. I would also say, we design our plants, they're engineered to withstand hurricane force winds," said Farr.

Rob Hamilton, who is a spokesperson for the company, explained what the panels are made of in an email to NBC 15 News.

"Silicon Ranch usesthin film cadmium telluride (CdTe)photovoltaic panels. These panelsare not hazardousanddo not negatively impact soil, water, or human or animal health. Cadmium telluride isnotthe same as cadmium (Cd), which is toxic in its solitary form. When bonded with tellurium, cadmium becomes part of a highly stable crystalline compound. A helpful analogy is table salt—sodium chloride (NaCl)—which combines two reactive elements into a stable substance you likely use every day," wrote Hamilton.

Silicon Ranch emphasizes the farm in solar farm. Farr says they produce two crops - renewable solar energy and pasture-raised lamb. Sheep graze, cut back the vegetation, and find shade under the solar panels. Farr says the Stockton site will also house livestock, either sheep or possibly cattle.

"We actually, as a renewable power company, own one of the largest flocks of sheep in the country, and definitely the largest flock of sheep that's enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program," said Farr.

In Georgia, the company created a gopher tortoise sanctuary and worked with the state department of natural resources to create a home for thousands of tortoises. Silicon Ranch produced a video highlighting a solar farm it developed in Hattiesburg, MS next to a retirement community and near a school. Farr says it shows how they can be good neighbors.

"These sites, once they're built, they're incredibly quiet. There's no light. There's no noise, and, you know, it's basically a ranch. So, that's really the only activity. There's not a lot of traffic or anything," said Farr.

Construction takes 12-18 months and the company plans to begin in 2027. The Alabama Public Service Commission approved Alabama Power's contract with Silicon Ranch in December. Farr says next they will need a building permit from Baldwin County and will work with the Army Corps of Engineers for a storm water management permit.

"Now, we really are focused on designing the best plant possible for that location, and doing it in a way that's environmentally responsible," said Farr.

Concerned residents held a town hall Monday night at 6:30 at the Stockton Civic Center. Farr says Silicon Ranch is planning on hosting one as well and will have representatives from First Solar there to answer questions. A date has not been set. In the meantime, the company encourages people to visit their website to find out more about their solar projects. The public is also encouraged to email the company directly with questions - community@siliconranch.com

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