Billionaire Ted Waitt, the reclusive co-founder of Gateway Inc., admitted in a previously undisclosed congressional testimony that he maintained a six-year romantic relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell—Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate—despite later claiming he would have severed ties had he known of her alleged involvement with the late financier. The revelation, contained in a transcript released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, contradicts Maxwell’s own account of their split, which she previously attributed to a blackmail attempt linked to Epstein’s civil cases.
Waitt’s testimony, delivered during a closed-door interview with lawmakers on April 30, 2026, marks the first time he has publicly acknowledged the relationship, which spanned from 2004 to 2010. In his opening statement, he told the committee: *“If I knew then what I know now about Ms. Maxwell, I never would’ve befriended her or allowed her to be around my four children.”* The admission underscores the deepening scrutiny surrounding Maxwell’s social circle during the period Epstein operated his network of underage victims, with Waitt’s own family now at the center of legal and public examination.
The transcript confirms Waitt disputed Maxwell’s version of their breakup, which she had described in prior statements as resulting from a blackmail demand tied to Epstein’s legal troubles. Waitt’s testimony suggests instead that their relationship ended on his own terms, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. The committee did not disclose whether Waitt provided additional details about the separation during his interview, but the admission raises new questions about how closely Epstein’s associates moved in elite circles while his criminal activities were ongoing.
Waitt’s testimony comes as the House committee continues its investigation into Epstein’s network, with a focus on how his associates—including Maxwell—navigated their relationships with powerful figures while allegedly facilitating his abuse of minors. The committee has previously subpoenaed records from Waitt’s family foundation, the Waitt Family Foundation, which has ties to conservative and educational philanthropy, though no charges have been filed against Waitt or his family. Legal experts note that while Waitt’s admission could resurface in civil litigation or further congressional probes, criminal exposure remains limited without direct evidence linking him to Epstein’s crimes.
Maxwell, who was convicted in 2024 on charges of facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors, has not publicly responded to Waitt’s testimony. Her legal team has previously framed her relationships with Epstein and others as separate from his criminal conduct, though prosecutors have argued her social connections enabled his operations. The release of Waitt’s transcript follows a pattern of high-profile revelations from Epstein-related investigations, including the 2025 unsealing of additional civil lawsuits against his associates, which have exposed gaps in oversight of elite networks.
The House committee, led by Chair James Comer, has signaled its intent to pursue further testimony from Epstein’s associates, including potential interviews with other individuals tied to Waitt’s social or business circles. A spokesperson for the committee declined to comment on whether additional disclosures from Waitt or others were expected, but the release of the transcript suggests a deliberate strategy to pressure remaining witnesses into cooperation. Meanwhile, Waitt’s legal team has not issued a statement, though sources familiar with his operations indicate he has largely avoided public engagement since the relationship’s disclosure.
The revelations also intersect with ongoing debates over accountability in philanthropic and tech sectors, where Waitt’s Gateway legacy—once a symbol of Silicon Valley’s early boom—has faced renewed scrutiny. The company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2004, was sold off in pieces, with Waitt later shifting his focus to education and conservative causes through his foundation. Critics have questioned whether his philanthropic work obscured his personal associations with Epstein’s network, though no formal inquiries into his charitable activities have been launched.
The House committee’s next steps remain unclear, but the release of Waitt’s testimony suggests a deliberate effort to link Epstein’s operations to broader networks of influence. With Maxwell’s sentencing looming in 2027, the committee’s probe may serve as a precursor to broader legislative efforts to address vulnerabilities in oversight of wealthy individuals with alleged ties to exploitation networks.
