House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has issued a formal request for attorney Alan Dershowitz to appear before the panel as part of its continuing investigation into the criminal network of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter dated Friday, Comer stated that public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and materials obtained by the committee, combined with Dershowitz's past role as Epstein's legal counsel, make him a key source of information for the probe. Comer called for Dershowitz to sit for an in-person, videotaped interview in Washington, D.C., on July 9, with a pledge to release the transcript and video publicly as soon as practical.
Earlier this week, Comer signaled his intent to call Dershowitz after hearing testimony from former Epstein assistant Lesley Groff and meeting with several Epstein survivors. "Based on the testimony from Ms. Groff, as well as a meeting that I had afterwards with several of the Epstein survivors, I am going to ask Alan Dershowitz to come in," Comer told reporters ahead of a voluntary interview with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. He added that the committee would give Dershowitz an opportunity to answer questions arising from Groff's testimony and survivors' statements.
Dershowitz, in a phone call with NewsNation on Wednesday, expressed a desire for "complete transparency" and signaled willingness to participate in an interview that is "videotaped, under oath and open to the public." He stated, "I'm very proud of my role in representing Epstein," and said he would "not invoke privilege" and was prepared to testify about "everything." He added, "I have nothing to hide. I hope they have videos of Epstein's rooms ... bedrooms. I'm willing to testify truthfully about Les Wexner. All of it."
Dershowitz's involvement in the Epstein case dates back to 2008, when he helped secure a controversial plea deal. Epstein pleaded guilty to two Florida state prostitution charges, receiving immunity from federal sex-trafficking charges and serving 13 months in prison. Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser, had alleged that Epstein trafficked her to Dershowitz, though she later recanted that claim as part of a settlement. Dershowitz has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Oversight Committee's push for Dershowitz's testimony is part of a broader effort to scrutinize Epstein's network and the Justice Department's handling of the case. The panel is also seeking a deposition from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has been a vocal defender of the DOJ's actions regarding Epstein. This follows earlier developments, including Dershowitz demanding public testimony and Comer targeting both Blanche and Dershowitz for testimony.
Dershowitz's appearance would add to a growing list of high-profile individuals questioned about their ties to Epstein and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. The committee has also been examining links between Epstein and other wealthy figures, including Bill Gates, who recently denied victimizing anyone but admitted a 'grave error' in his Epstein ties during a voluntary interview.
The investigation continues to expand, with Comer signaling that more hearings and interviews are likely as the committee pursues a full accounting of Epstein's crimes and any systemic failures that allowed them to persist.
