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Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, days before lawmakers were set to vote on holding the former US president and secretary of state in contempt of Congress.
Lawyers representing the Clintons on Monday evening told James Comer, chair of the House oversight committee, that the pair “will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates”, according to an email seen by the FT.
They also asked Comer to confirm that lawmakers “will not move forward with contempt proceedings”. Contempt of Congress is a criminal offence that carries a possible prison sentence.
The latest offer from the Clintons marks a reversal after the couple initially refused to appear before the congressional committee investigating the government’s handling of cases involving the late sex offender.
The panel’s investigation is separate from Department of Justice probes into Epstein, who was found hanging in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The DoJ last week published millions of pieces of previously sealed evidence exposing Epstein’s connections to rich and powerful political and business figures.
The Clintons have acknowledged they were once friends with Epstein but denied any involvement in, or knowledge of, his crimes.
Republicans and Democrats on the House oversight committee last month voted to hold the Clintons in contempt, in a move that opened the pair up to the risk of facing criminal charges.
A vote in the full House of Representatives has been expected as soon as Wednesday.
If a majority of House members vote to hold the Clintons in contempt, it would be up to the DoJ to decide whether to bring criminal charges against the couple.
Comer did not immediately agree to the Clintons’ latest offer late on Monday, saying in a statement: “The Clintons’ counsel has said they agree to terms, but those terms lack clarity yet again and they have provided no dates for their depositions.”
“The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt,” Comer added. “I will clarify the terms they are agreeing to and then discuss next steps with my committee members.”
Angel Ureña, a spokesperson for the former president, on Monday accused Comer of failing to negotiate in “good faith”.
“They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care,” Ureña said in a post to X.
“But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there,” he added. “They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”
The House oversight committee has subpoenaed nearly a dozen people for depositions in its investigation, including Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and several former US attorneys-general. Most of those summoned issued written statements instead of participating in closed-door hearings.
The Clintons are so far the only individuals to face contempt of Congress charges.
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