House Panel Releases Gates And Groff Transcripts In Epstein Inquiry
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the House Oversight Committee released transcripts of closed-door depositions of Bill Gates and Lesley Groff taken earlier in June in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein.[1]
Gates told lawmakers he made a "grave error in judgment" by meeting Epstein, denied any wrongdoing, and said the meetings were about philanthropy.[1] Groff, Epstein's longtime assistant, was questioned about arranging massages with young women after Epstein's 2008 state sex-offense plea in Florida.[1] Rep. Stephen Lynch publicly challenged Groff's claim that she saw nothing improper in scheduling massages for a registered sex offender.[1]
Chairman James Comer subpoenaed Justice Department records related to the Epstein and Maxwell cases on August 5, 2025, and the committee publicly released 33,295 pages of DOJ documents on September 2, 2025.[1] Those files repeatedly mentioned Gates and included emails and records showing Groff's role arranging massages, prompting the committee to seek voluntary transcribed interviews on June 9 and 10, 2026.[1]
The committee has already released other interview transcripts in its review, including former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Tova Noel.[1] Lawmakers and some observers reacted sharply on social media and at the hearing; Rep. Tim Burchett called Gates "very coached," Rep. Lynch said much of Groff's testimony was "not believable," and Groff left after testifying for more than eight hours. The FBI determined by July 2025 that Jeffrey Epstein harmed more than 1,000 victims.
The mainstream summary does not mention the staggering frequency of Lesley Groff's name appearing in the released DOJ documents, which totals over 160,000 mentions, indicating her significant involvement in Epstein's operations. This detail highlights the depth of her connection to the case and raises questions about the extent of her knowledge regarding Epstein's activities, which Groff denied during her testimony. Additionally, while the summary notes that Rep. Stephen Lynch challenged Groff's credibility, it omits the specific claim that Lynch stated '90% of her testimony was not believable,' which underscores the intense scrutiny and skepticism surrounding her statements.
Furthermore, the mainstream account frames Gates' admission of a 'grave error in judgment' as a straightforward acknowledgment, but it lacks the critical perspective shared by some lawmakers who described him as 'very coached.' This characterization suggests that Gates' responses may have been more calculated than genuine, reflecting a broader concern about elite accountability. The summary also fails to capture the public sentiment reflected in a 2026 Reuters/Ipsos poll, where 69% of Americans expressed that powerful individuals are rarely held accountable, indicating a systemic issue of perceived impunity that extends beyond the specifics of this inquiry.[2][3]
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📊 Relevant Data
The FBI determined that Jeffrey Epstein harmed over one thousand victims.
FBI Memo — Department of Justice
Lesley Groff's name appears more than 160,000 times in the millions of documents released by the Department of Justice related to Epstein.
Who is Lesley Groff, Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant interviewed in House probe? — PBS NewsHour
The House Oversight Committee has released transcripts from multiple interviews in its Epstein investigation, including those of former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on May 29, 2026, and Tova Noel on May 18, 2026.
Oversight Committee Releases Additional Epstein Investigation Transcripts — U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the House Oversight Committee released transcripts of Bill Gates's and Lesley Groff's closed-door depositions taken earlier in June.
- Gates told lawmakers he made a "grave error in judgment" by meeting Epstein, denied wrongdoing, and said the meetings were about philanthropy.
- Groff, Epstein's longtime assistant, was questioned about arranging massages with young women after Epstein's 2008 state sex-offense plea in Florida.
- Rep. Stephen Lynch publicly questioned Groff's claim that she saw nothing improper in arranging massages for a registered sex offender.
- The transcript releases draw on Justice Department case files and are part of a broader House effort to examine federal handling of the Epstein case.
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