For six years, Cimberly Espinosa served as an executive assistant to Ghislaine Maxwell, working closely alongside her in managing the various estates of Jeffrey Epstein. And on Thursday she was unequivocal: She never saw anything to indicate Maxwell was engaging in inappropriate activity with underage girls. 

In fact, she had only praise for Maxwell, describing her as an instrumental figure in helping build her career. “I highly respected her,” Espinosa said. “I looked up to her very much. And I actually learned a lot from her.”

Espinosa was the first witness for the defense in Maxwell’s sex abuse trial, one of five witnesses that took the stand Thursday. 

But Maxwell’s attorneys indicated to the judge they expect to wrap up their defense as soon as Friday. That means the jury could begin deliberations as soon as Monday, following closing arguments.

Maxwell is accused of facilitating and at times taking part in the sexual abuse of underage girls at the hands of Epstein. 

Thursday’s testimony offered a window into Epstein’s extravagant lifestyle. Espinosa described how he purchased an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and demanded that extra sand and palm trees be shipped in. Espinosa also had to arrange for fresh bread and butter to be shipped from New York. 

But she described Epstein as giving and generous, and said he had a seemingly loving relationship with one of the alleged victims in the case, a woman who testified using only the pseudonym Jane.

The defense also called Elizabeth Loftus, a renowned expert on false memories, in an attempt to cast doubt on the accusers’ recollection of events that date back to the ‘90s.

Maxwell’s attorneys have given no indication she’ll take the stand in her own defense.