The witness schedule spans from mid-April through June, with each appearance carrying significant political and personal stakes for those called.

Epstein Files Update: Who Is Testifying - and When?

The full schedule, confirmed by people familiar with the situation, is as follows:

• April 14: Pam Bondi, former U.S. Attorney General, fired last week
• April 30: Ted Waitt, billionaire co-founder of Gateway computers
• May 6: Howard Lutnick, Trump’s Commerce Secretary
• May 18: Tova Noel, the corrections officer at Metropolitan Correctional Center believed to be the last person to see Epstein alive
• June 9: Lesley Gross, Epstein’s former executive assistant
• June 10: Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder

All are appearing before the Republican-chaired House Oversight Committee under Representative James Comer. The committee has described the investigation as examining Epstein’s alleged connections to a wider network of powerful individuals.

Epstein Files Update: What Has Bill Gates Said About His Connection to Epstein?

Gates has agreed to testify and his spokesperson said he “welcomes the opportunity.” In February, Gates addressed his foundation staff directly, saying: “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.” He told employees he never spent time with Epstein’s victims and called his association with the financier “a huge mistake.”

Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011 - three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida - and claimed he was only vaguely aware of a travel restriction Epstein was under at the time. Gates also revealed that his then-wife Melinda Gates had expressed concern about Epstein as early as 2013. “To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing,” he said, according to the Wall Street Journal’s reporting of an audio recording from the Gates Foundation town hall. “Knowing what I know now makes it a hundred times worse,” he added.

Epstein Files Update: What Has Howard Lutnick Said - and Why Has It Caused Outrage?

Lutnick’s situation is more politically explosive. Emails included in the Justice Department’s release of millions of Epstein-related documents suggest he remained in contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 Florida conviction. Lutnick told the Senate Appropriations Committee in February that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private Caribbean island, Little St. James, in December 2012 - years after Epstein’s conviction was public knowledge. The admission drew bipartisan outrage and renewed calls for his resignation from the Trump administration. Lutnick has denied wrongdoing.

Epstein Files Update: What About Pam Bondi - and Will She Even Testify?

Bondi was fired from her role as Attorney General last week following sustained bipartisan criticism over how the Justice Department handled the release of the Epstein files - a controversy that became a political liability for President Trump. She is scheduled to testify April 14. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters Tuesday he has not ruled out invoking executive privilege to prevent her from appearing.

In her earlier February testimony before the same committee, Bondi deflected questions about Epstein, talked about the stock market instead of answering directly, and repeatedly insulted and chastised Democratic lawmakers. Whether she will face more structured questioning this time - or whether Blanche’s privilege threat will keep her away - remains unresolved.

Epstein Files Update: Who Are the Other Witnesses - and Why Do They Matter?

Ted Waitt, billionaire co-founder of the Gateway computer company, is scheduled for April 30. His specific connection to Epstein has not been publicly detailed in committee communications released so far. Tova Noel - the Metropolitan Correctional Center corrections officer believed to be the last person to see Epstein alive before his August 2019 death - will be interviewed May 18. Her testimony could shed light on the circumstances of Epstein’s death, which was ruled a suicide but has remained the subject of sustained public skepticism. Lesley Gross, Epstein’s former executive assistant, appears June 9. Her institutional knowledge of Epstein’s day-to-day operations and contacts could provide the committee with significant documentary context.

Epstein Files Update: Why Is This Investigation Happening Now?

The investigation accelerated after the Justice Department released roughly 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents - a release mandated by a bipartisan law passed in November after the DOJ and FBI declared the case closed in July. The release still drew criticism over heavy redactions and the disclosure of some victim identities.

Bank of America agreed to pay $72.5 million to settle a civil lawsuit from Epstein victims last month. JPMorgan Chase paid $290 million and Deutsche Bank paid $75 million in 2023. The congressional investigation is now the primary public accountability mechanism for those who remain alive and allegedly connected to Epstein’s network.

FAQs: Congressional Epstein Investigation

Q: When will Bill Gates testify?

A: Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on June 10.

Q: When will Howard Lutnick testify?

A: Lutnick will sit for an interview on May 6.

Q: What did Gates say about his relationship with Epstein?

A: He called it “a huge mistake,” said he “never witnessed or participated” in illegal conduct, and apologized to foundation staff.

Q: What did Lutnick admit?

A: He told the Senate that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on his private Caribbean island in December 2012.

Q: Who else is testifying?

A: Pam Bondi (April 14), Ted Waitt (April 30), Tova Noel (May 18), Lesley Gross (June 9).

Q: Could Bondi’s testimony be blocked?

A: Acting AG Todd Blanche said he has not ruled out invoking privilege to prevent her from testifying.

Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.