Ted Waitt, the billionaire co-founder of Gateway Inc., testified in a closed-door interview with the House oversight committee that he had a romantic relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell from 2004 to 2010. According to transcripts released Wednesday, Waitt stated, "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." He added, "I never would’ve spent six years in a romantic relationship with her."
Relationship Details
Waitt first met Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a dinner in Hong Kong in November 2003, which he said was also attended by former President Bill Clinton. He described Epstein as "somewhat arrogant" and "off-putting" and said he avoided Epstein during his relationship with Maxwell. Waitt testified that he never visited Epstein's homes, flew on his plane, or went to his private island.
Waitt ended the relationship in September 2010, citing that it "had run its course." He acknowledged providing Maxwell with monthly payments and transferred $7.2 million to her after the breakup, explaining, "Maxwell was devastated by our breakup. I felt it was the right thing to do." However, he later expressed regret, saying, "In hindsight, if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have done it."
Conflicting Statements
Waitt's testimony contradicted Maxwell's previous claims that a blackmail attempt involving Epstein's civil cases contributed to their breakup. Maxwell alleged that a law firm demanded $10 million from Waitt to keep her out of Epstein's lawsuits. Waitt told lawmakers he had no recollection of such an incident. He also said he was unaware that Maxwell had avoided a deposition in a 2009 civil case against Epstein, though he recalled her being stressed about a subpoena around 2010.
Waitt repeatedly stated he had no knowledge of any abuse by Epstein or Maxwell during their relationship. He regretted not researching Epstein's 2008 conviction more thoroughly. The House oversight committee released the transcript as part of its investigation into Epstein and Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
