House Epstein Probe Sets Gates and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for June and May Interviews
The House Oversight Committee has scheduled several voluntary, transcribed interviews in its Jeffrey Epstein probe, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on May 6 and Bill Gates on June 10, along with Ted Waitt (April 30), corrections officer Tova Noel (May 18) and Lesley Groff (June 9). All five agreed to appear after March 3 request letters, the committee granted anonymity to sources discussing the schedule, and Chairman Comer said he will consult GOP members and the Justice Department about next steps for a subpoenaed April 14 deposition of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, while interest has grown in Lutnick after he acknowledged a 2012 lunch with Epstein despite earlier saying he cut ties in 2005.
📌 Key Facts
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled for a voluntary, transcribed House Oversight interview on May 6, 2026, as part of the House's Epstein investigation.
- Four additional voluntary, transcribed interviews are scheduled: Ted Waitt on April 30, corrections officer Tova Noel on May 18, Lesley Groff on June 9, and Bill Gates on June 10, 2026.
- All five witnesses agreed to appear voluntarily after March 3 request letters; the committee granted anonymity to sources discussing the interview schedule.
- A separate April 14 subpoenaed deposition of former Attorney General Pam Bondi is uncertain following her firing by President Trump; House Oversight Chairman Comer said he will consult GOP members and the Justice Department on next steps.
- The wider probe has included prior depositions of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Les Wexner, and interest in Lutnick's testimony increased after he acknowledged a 2012 lunch with Jeffrey Epstein despite earlier saying he cut ties in 2005.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2008, Jeffrey Epstein entered into a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida, allowing him to plead guilty to state charges and serve 13 months in jail with work release, avoiding federal sex trafficking charges despite evidence of abusing over 40 minor girls.
Jeffrey Epstein's Former Prosecutors Used 'Poor Judgment' In Deal, DOJ Says — NPR
Approximately 1 in 4 victims of human trafficking in the US are children, with women and girls comprising about 75% of victims, indicating significant vulnerabilities among minors and females in sex trafficking scenarios similar to Epstein's operations.
Human Trafficking — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Black individuals constitute approximately 40% of identified sex trafficking victims in the US, while representing about 13% of the total population, showing overrepresentation in trafficking cases.
Exposing Racial Disparities in Human Trafficking — O.U.R. Stories
Bill Gates met with Jeffrey Epstein multiple times between 2011 and 2014, discussing philanthropy and investments, with Epstein facilitating a $2 million donation from Gates to MIT in 2014.
How Epstein Inserted Himself Into a Split Between Bill Gates and a Top Adviser — The Wall Street Journal
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is scheduled for a voluntary, transcribed House Oversight interview on May 6, 2026 as part of the Epstein investigation.
- Details four additional voluntary transcribed interviews: Ted Waitt on April 30; corrections officer Tova Noel on May 18; Lesley Groff on June 9; Bill Gates on June 10.
- Clarifies that all five witnesses are appearing voluntarily after March 3 request letters and that the committee granted anonymity to sources discussing the schedule.
- Adds context and uncertainty around the April 14 subpoenaed deposition of former Attorney General Pam Bondi following her firing by President Trump, including a committee statement that Chairman Comer will consult GOP members and DOJ on "next steps."
- Expands context on the wider probe by noting prior depositions of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Les Wexner, and growing interest in Lutnick’s testimony after he admitted to a 2012 lunch with Epstein on his island despite earlier claims he cut ties in 2005.