House Panel Probes Epstein Ties, Calls Gates to Testify

Committee chairman says Bill Gates and six others have been asked to appear as part of investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, examining their network of contacts and any potential failures that may have enabled their crimes. As part of the probe, Committee Chairman James Comer said he has asked Bill Gates and six others to testify.

Why it matters

The investigation aims to shed light on Epstein's powerful connections and any potential failures that allowed his criminal activities to continue unchecked for years. Gates' ties to Epstein have drawn scrutiny, as the Microsoft co-founder has acknowledged meeting with the financier in 2011 but denied involvement in Epstein's crimes.

The details

Comer said the committee has asked Gates, as well as Kathryn Ruemmler, Leon Black, Lesley Groff, Sarah Kellen, Ted Waitt and Doug Band, to testify as part of the investigation. Gates has said he met Epstein in 2011 and believed the financier could help connect him with wealthy donors, but has denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal activity.

  • The House Oversight Committee launched its investigation into Epstein and Maxwell in 2026.
  • Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges.
  • Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking and other charges.

The players

James Comer

Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, which is leading the investigation into Epstein and his associates.

Bill Gates

Co-founder of Microsoft, who has acknowledged meeting with Epstein in 2011 but denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal activities.

Jeffrey Epstein

Convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's associate who was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges and is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence.

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What they’re saying

“Some of the most powerful people in the world who have been named in the Epstein files, we're going to bring them all in.”

— James Comer, Chairman, House Oversight Committee (Fox News)

“I never visited Epstein's private island, and I never met any of the women connected to him.”

— Bill Gates (Interview)

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee has not yet announced a timeline for the hearings or indicated if it has received responses from the individuals it has asked to testify.

The takeaway

This investigation underscores the continued scrutiny of Epstein's powerful connections and the desire to uncover any potential failures that enabled his criminal activities to continue for years. The testimony of Gates and others could shed light on the extent of Epstein's network and the actions, or inactions, of those associated with him.