Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic candidate for President of the United States, will testify in the congressional investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision could prevent a planned vote in the House of Representatives to find two prominent Democrats in contempt of Congress, which could lead to criminal charges, Reuters writes.
The US Department of Justice recently released millions of internal documents related to Epstein, which reveal his ties to many high-profile figures in politics, finance, academia and business both before and after he pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges in 2008.
When asked if the House of Representatives would postpone the contempt vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that was being worked on and that lawyers were working out the details. Johnson earlier welcomed the news that the former president and former secretary of state had agreed to testify. The House Oversight Committee last week recommended that the Clintons be found guilty of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about their relationship with Epstein.
The Clintons have offered to cooperate with the committee but have refused to appear in person, arguing that the investigation is partisan and aimed at protecting Republican President Donald Trump.
– They told you under oath what they know, but you are not interested in it. The former president and former secretary of state will be there. We look forward to establishing a precedent that will apply to everyone – Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, wrote on social networks.
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane several times in the early 2000s, after he left office as president. He expressed regret for the relationship and said he knew nothing about Epstein’s criminal activities.
Republican Congressman James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee, said Monday that the Clintons had not yet set a date for their testimony and would discuss next steps with committee members.
– Their lawyers said that they agree with the conditions, but these conditions are again not clear and they did not give any dates for their testimonies – said Comer.
