Ted Waitt, the billionaire cofounder of Gateway computers, testified before Congress that he was romantically involved with Ghislaine Maxwell for six years, from 2004 to 2010, but expressed deep regret about the relationship now that Maxwell's crimes have been exposed. According to transcripts released by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Waitt told lawmakers he would never have allowed Maxwell near his four children had he known then what he knows now.
Waitt first encountered both Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a large group dinner in Hong Kong in November 2003, which was also attended by former president Bill Clinton. He recalled finding Epstein "somewhat arrogant" and "off-putting," and said his contact with the financier was limited to a brief introduction. His connection with Maxwell developed differently. After exchanging contact information, the two began communicating regularly over the following months, and their relationship turned romantic in 2004.
The billionaire maintained geographic distance from Maxwell for much of their six-year relationship, living primarily in San Diego while she stayed in New York. They would visit each other and travel together but also spent significant stretches apart. Waitt was deliberate about avoiding Epstein during this time, citing both his personal dislike of the man and the awkwardness of dating his ex-girlfriend.
According to his testimony, Waitt never visited any of Epstein's properties, never flew on his private plane, and never traveled to his private island. He last spoke with Maxwell in September 2010 when he ended the relationship, later encountering her unexpectedly at an ocean conference. His reason for the breakup was straightforward: he knew he would never marry her, and "it had run its course."
Throughout their time together, Maxwell described Epstein to Waitt as a brilliant investor and money manager. She told him that Epstein had ended their own relationship on her 40th birthday in 2001. When lawmakers asked whether Waitt had concerns about Maxwell's association with Epstein, he acknowledged that Epstein seemed to have significant influence over her and that she "always kind of looked up to him," which made him uncomfortable.
Waitt testified that he was unaware Maxwell was avoiding a deposition in a civil case against Epstein in 2009, though he recalled her briefly mentioning the matter in general terms. By 2010, around the time of their breakup, he remembers her being "quite stressed" about a deposition subpoena. He stressed repeatedly that during their relationship, he had no knowledge of any abuse allegations involving either Epstein or Maxwell, and said they briefly discussed Epstein's 2008 guilty plea, when Maxwell denied any involvement.
The financial terms of their breakup became a focal point of the testimony. Waitt acknowledged making monthly payments to Maxwell during parts of their relationship, and he confirmed transferring her $7.2 million in September 2010, immediately after their split. When questioned about the large sum, he explained that Maxwell was devastated by the breakup and he felt it was appropriate given their extravagant lifestyle together. In retrospect, he told lawmakers, he would not make the payment again.
Waitt also recalled staff members reporting that Maxwell was deeply unhappy after the breakup and in poor emotional condition. He said his team handled the final details of their separation, and he remembered that Maxwell was dissatisfied with the amount and requested more money.
A significant discrepancy emerged between Waitt's testimony and statements Maxwell made to then deputy attorney general Todd Blanche. Maxwell alleged that in 2009, shortly before their breakup, a law firm approached Waitt demanding $10 million to keep her out of Epstein's civil suits, claiming his representatives had been shown evidence including flight logs and other materials. She characterized this as blackmail and said it hastened the end of their relationship. Waitt flatly denied any recollection of such an incident or demand when questioned by House lawmakers.
Author James Rodriguez: "Waitt's testimony reveals how proximity to Epstein's circle made even someone claiming ignorance look complicit in hindsight, and the $7.2 million question still doesn't have a clean answer."
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