Questions surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell continue to draw attention in Washington. Fresh testimony released by the House Oversight Committee has now revealed details about Maxwell’s past relationship with tech billionaire Ted Waitt, including a multimillion-dollar payment made after their breakup.
Waitt, the co-founder of Gateway computers, told lawmakers that he gave Maxwell $7.2 million in September 2010 after ending their six-year relationship. According to the transcript of his testimony, the payment was meant to help her maintain the lifestyle she had become used to during their years together.
Speaking before the committee, Waitt described the payment as “the right thing to do,” adding that the pair had lived “a fairly extravagant life.” He also explained that such settlements were “not uncommon” for people in similar financial situations.
Despite the massive payout, Waitt claimed Maxwell was dissatisfied with the amount. “She was quite devastated by the breakup,” he testified. “Not being happy with the amount, wanting more.”
He added that the emotional nature of the split pushed him to distance himself from the negotiations. Instead of handling the matter personally, he asked members of his team to complete the remaining details of the settlement.
House Investigation Expands
Instagram | newsnationnow | Newly released House testimony reveals tech billionaire Ted Waitt paid Ghislaine Maxwell millions after their breakup.
Waitt and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick both participated in closed-door interviews with the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers continue examining unanswered questions tied to Epstein and Maxwell.
The committee has also sought interviews with several other high-profile figures. Those include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, investor Leon Black, and Doug Band, the longtime adviser to former President Bill Clinton.
A letter sent to Waitt on March 3 stated that investigators believed he possessed information that could assist the committee’s inquiry. His name reportedly appeared in emails linked to the so-called Epstein files. No accusations of criminal wrongdoing have been filed against Waitt or the other individuals connected to the investigation.
During his testimony, Waitt referred to the financial agreement as a “palimony settlement-type thing.” He explained that Maxwell had expected the relationship to last for life, which influenced his decision to provide financial support after the breakup.
Regret Over the Relationship
The testimony also revealed Waitt’s growing discomfort after learning more about Maxwell’s connection to Epstein. He admitted that much of what he now knows was hidden from him during their relationship.
“I can say unequivocally that 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,” Waitt stated.
He also claimed Maxwell minimized the seriousness of Epstein’s criminal conduct following his 2008 guilty plea involving the solicitation of a minor for prostitution. According to Waitt, it is “possible” she concealed details about her continued travels with Epstein while they were dating.
“Through the course of preparing for this testimony, I've discovered a lot of things I did not know about her relationship with Mr. Epstein in the time we were dating,” he told committee staffers.
Epstein and Maxwell Cases Still Under Scrutiny
Instagram | abc7la | Following Epstein's 2019 jail death before his sex trafficking trial, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in 2021.
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors. His case continued to draw widespread attention due to his connections with several influential figures.
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
In 2025, Maxwell reportedly met with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for two days before being transferred to a minimum-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas.
The controversy surrounding Maxwell remains politically charged. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told Politico that some Republicans support the possibility of President Donald Trump offering Maxwell a pardon in exchange for cooperation with the committee’s investigation.
Democrats strongly opposed the idea. California Representative Robert Garcia responded by saying, “She is a known abuser. She is a known liar.”
Ted Waitt’s testimony has now added fresh attention to Maxwell’s past relationships and connections as the House Oversight Committee continues examining individuals linked to Epstein’s circle.
