The House Oversight Committee has formally summoned Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to testify before Congress regarding his past relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports published Tuesday. The development marks a significant escalation in congressional efforts to scrutinize the full scope of Epstein's network of associates.

Investigators are seeking testimony about the nature and extent of Gates's contacts with Epstein, which have been a subject of public scrutiny for several years. Gates has previously acknowledged meeting with Epstein on multiple occasions but has said he regrets those encounters. The specific questions Congress intends to pursue have not been fully disclosed publicly.

The committee is also separately seeking to interview Lesley Groff, a former executive secretary who worked closely with Epstein and was identified in prior legal proceedings as a key figure in his operations. Her potential testimony is considered significant to understanding how Epstein's network functioned on a day-to-day basis.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is reported to be connected to the congressional inquiry, though the precise nature of the Justice Department's involvement has not been fully detailed. The broader investigation into Epstein's associates has gained renewed momentum following the release of previously sealed court documents and ongoing public pressure for accountability.

No date for Gates's testimony has been publicly confirmed. Gates's representatives have not issued a detailed public response to the summons as of Tuesday. The Oversight Committee has not specified whether the appearance would be a formal deposition, a transcribed interview, or a public hearing.