House Oversight Summons Gates, Black in Epstein Probe

House Oversight Epstein Probe summons Bill Gates, Leon Black, Kathryn Ruemmler and four others to testify in Washington

WASHINGTON — The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, issued transcribed interview summons for seven people — including Bill Gates, Leon Black and Kathryn Ruemmler — to testify in Washington about ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

What happened

Chairman James Comer’s House Oversight Committee has issued letters calling seven individuals to provide transcribed testimony in Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks. The committee says it is relying on Oversight Committee release on SAR requests and a separate Oversight Committee release announcing new actions as the basis for many of its new steps.

Who has been called and why

The committee has scheduled interviews and sent letters indicating each person may have information relevant to the investigation, drawing on public reporting, Department of Justice documents, and committee materials.

Bill Gates — Microsoft co-founder

Interview date: May 19. A Gates spokesperson told reporters he “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee” and “is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work.” The spokesperson added Gates “never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct.” Reporting tied to DOJ-released emails has also connected Gates to personal conduct allegations, including affairs and an alleged request for medication; Gates has denied links between those relationships and Epstein’s victims. (See reporting by Fox News.)

Leon Black — co-founder, Apollo Global Management

Interview date: May 13. Black has been tied to Epstein through past reporting about financial payments and advisory work. A 2023 lawsuit also accused Black of sexual assault at Epstein’s Manhattan residence; Black has denied wrongdoing. The committee will question him as part of examining the network around Epstein and Maxwell. (See Fox News reporting.)

Kathryn Ruemmler — former White House counsel to President Obama

Interview date: April 21. Ruemmler resigned a position at Goldman Sachs after public questions about ties to Epstein; her spokesperson said she “has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity.” The committee’s letter cites public reporting and documents as the basis for the request. (See Fox News and Oversight Committee release.)

Other individuals called

• Lesley Groff and Sarah Kellen: Former longtime Epstein employees named in prior reporting; no public interview dates were disclosed. (See Fox News.)
• Doug Band: Longtime aide to Bill Clinton; the committee previously interviewed Bill and Hillary Clinton and is calling aides connected to them. (See Oversight Committee update.)
• Ted Waitt: Tech billionaire and reported former boyfriend of Ghislaine Maxwell; no interview date publicly listed.

What the committee says it is investigating

Comer’s probe extends beyond personal ties to a review of how federal agencies handled investigations, potential enforcement failures, ethics questions, and the broader networks that enabled Epstein’s abuses. The committee has requested Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from the Treasury, subpoenaed records from the Epstein estate, and obtained more than 34,000 pages of DOJ documents to date. (See the committee’s Oversight release on SARs and its Oversight update.)

Comer’s team has sought testimony and documents from multiple former attorneys general, interviewed the Clintons, subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, and coordinated a task force request for further declassification of DOJ records. The committee says public reporting, DOJ documents and materials it has obtained form the foundation for new inquiries. (See Oversight Committee release on new actions.)

Responses and scheduling

Gates’s team confirmed the May 19 transcribed interview to Fox News Digital. The committee has set interview dates for Leon Black and Kathryn Ruemmler in mid-April and May; other witnesses either have not publicly responded or have no dates disclosed in committee announcements and media reporting.

Committee view: “The committee believes each person has information that will aid the probe,” Comer’s letters state; the exact scope of questioning for each witness has not been released publicly.

Implications for Utah

For Utah readers and leaders, the probe may prompt several practical and political consequences:

• Political accountability and oversight: If the committee finds agency missteps or improper relationships, Utah lawmakers who favor stronger oversight may press for reforms.
• Local law enforcement and victim services: Federal recommendations could lead to changes in information sharing, victim protections, training and funding opportunities for Utah police and nonprofits.
• Financial regulation and business ethics: Scrutiny of banking records and SARs could prompt federal changes affecting Utah banks, fintechs and investment firms.
• Reputation and community standards: High-profile witnesses may lead Utah civic and business leaders to reaffirm ethical standards and transparency.

Sources and documents

This article draws on public releases and contemporaneous media reporting. Key sources include:

• Oversight Committee release — SAR request
• Oversight Committee release — new actions in investigation
• Oversight Committee update — review progress and subpoenas
• Fox News reporting on committee summons and witness responses

Reporting note

This article preserves original facts and URLs from House Oversight Committee releases and media reporting. Committee announcements, letters and document disclosures form the basis of subpoenas and interview requests; further developments, witness testimony and document releases are expected as the probe proceeds.