Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is among seven individuals asked to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Committee chair James Comer sent letters requesting testimony from Gates, former Epstein aides Lesley Groff and Sarah Kellen, former Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black, longtime Clinton aide Doug Band, and tech billionaire Ted Waitt. The committee said the witnesses may have information relevant to its review of the federal government’s handling of the Epstein investigation and possible influence networks tied to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The individuals have been given testimony dates between April 16 and June 9. A spokesperson for Gates confirmed he intends to cooperate with the inquiry, stating that he welcomes the opportunity to answer the committee’s questions and has never witnessed or participated in Epstein’s illegal activities. Representatives for Kathryn Ruemmler also said she is willing to testify, maintaining she had no knowledge of criminal conduct during her interactions with Epstein while working as a defense attorney. None of the seven individuals have been charged with wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The requests follow the Justice Department’s release of millions of documents tied to its long-running investigation into Epstein, who was accused of operating a large-scale sex trafficking network with Maxwell. Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges, while Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Newly released records have revealed extensive connections between Epstein and prominent political, business and social figures, prompting renewed scrutiny from lawmakers.
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