During heated testimony, Bondi repeatedly cited Iryna Zarutska when questioned about alleged special treatment for Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Attorney General Pam Bondi sparred with U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross during a congressional hearing Tuesday over the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and repeatedly invoked the name of Iryna Zarutska.ย
Ross, a Democrat who represents North Carolina’s 2nd District, pressed Bondi on who authorized Maxwell’s transfer to a minimum security facility, questioning whether the convicted sex trafficker had received special treatment. Maxwell’s attorney has reportedly offered her cooperation in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation in exchange for clemency from President Donald Trump.
“Who ordered her to be transferred to the minimum security prison that she was ineligible for?” Ross asked. “Was it Mr. Blanche? Was it one of your other subordinates?”
Bondi said she learned of the transfer “after the fact” and deferred to the Bureau of Prisons, adding that Maxwell should not receive special treatment.
“Hopefully she will die in prison,” Bondi said.
When Ross pressed whether Trump should pardon Maxwell, Bondi repeatedly deflected, instead bringing up Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman who was killed on a Charlotte light rail train in August.
RELATED: Autopsy released in Iryna Zarutska’s stabbing death on Charlotte light rail
“Instead of talking about Ghislaine Maxwell … you should be talking about Iryna Zarutska,” Bondi said.
Ross pushed back, noting she had addressed the Charlotte case and that Bondi was present to testify before Congress.
“I am not here to testify before Congress, you are,” Ross said. “That is your job today.”
Bondi continued to force the issue as tension grew in the chamber.ย
“You don’t want to talk about Iryna Zarutska,” Bondi said. “I’m not going to speculate, and you couldn’t even identify properly, that’s why you don’t want to talk about Iryna Zarutska … It’s embarrassing.”ย
Ross pushed back, saying Zarutska’s family is thankful for the condolences and support from North Carolina’s law enforcement community before yielding her time.ย
Iryna Zarutska stabbing background
Decarlos Brown was federally indictedย in October 2025. He was previously indicted on murder charges in Mecklenburg County court in September 2025.ย
The federal indictment includes special findings that make Brown eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors allege Brown intentionally killed Zarutska and acted with “reckless disregard for human life.” The indictment also notes Brown was previously convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Mecklenburg County Superior Court in February 2015.
Under federal law, violence against a mass transportation system resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death, along with fines up to $250,000 and supervised release up to five years. There is no mandatory minimum sentence.
The case gained national attention after President Donald Trump referenced it in September and again this past week, sparking debate about public safety and the criminal justice system. Following Trump’s remarks, North Carolina Republicans called for the removal of a judge who had allowed Brown’s release on bond for a misdemeanor charge in January.
Zarutska had fled Ukraine seeking safety from war and was working full-time at a Charlotte pizzeria while attending community college to improve her English, according to family friends. Her family called her death “tragic and preventable” and said she was just minutes from home when she was killed.
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