Bill Gates, Leon Black, Kathryn Ruemmler to testify in Epstein Case

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, billionaire Leon Black, Ted Waitt, Goldman Sachs' top lawyer Howard Lutnick, Kathryn Ruemmler, and three other people were asked on March 3 to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding its ongoing investigation into the convicted s-- offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates was among the seven people asked by the committee to testify about their dealings with Epstein. Lesley Groff, a former executive assistant to Epstein, was also among those called to testify before the House committee. Kathryn Ruemmler, the former White House counsel to President Barack Obama, and Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, were also notified.

Doug Band, a longtime personal aide and counselor to former President Bill Clinton, was also asked to testify.

Clinton, along with his wife, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, has testified separately before the House regarding Epstein earlier in February.

Ted Waitt, a former boyfriend of Ghislaine Maxwell and longtime associate of Epstein, was also asked to testify before the House Committee. Sarah Kellen, a former assistant to Epstein, was also among those asked to testify.

Gates, along with Ruemmler and Black, quickly agreed to volunteer for transcribed interviews with the House Oversight Committee.

The House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said in letters sent to the individuals that he believes they have "information that will assist in the investigation."

Comer said the committee is reviewing the alleged "mismanagement of the federal government's investigation" into Epstein and Maxwell including how the two sought to carry favors, exercise influence to protect their illegal activities, and potentially engage in ethics violations involving officials.

The letters sent to the individuals listed testimony dates ranging from April 16 to June 9.

A spokesperson for Gates said, "Gates welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee."

"While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work," the spokesperson added.

Ruemmler's spokesperson said, "Ms. Ruemmler welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee."

"At the time she interacted with Jeffrey Epstein, she was a practising criminal defense attorney and shared a client with him. She had done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part," the spokeswoman added.

Black's spokesperson said, "Mr. Black paid Epstein for tax and estate planning work, and he had no awareness of Epstein's criminal activity. He looks forward to answering the committee's question and providing additional clarity."

The Department of Justice released certain files after Congress passed a bill that President Trump signed into law in November 2025.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting prostitution in exchange for prosecutors dropping a federal case against him.

A New York federal grand jury indicted Epstein on child trafficking charges in July 2019, but he was found dead in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail. His close aide, Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 on federal s-- trafficking charges.