Fresh testimony tied to Ghislaine Maxwell has pulled another wealthy name into the spotlight. Ted Waitt, the billionaire co-founder of Gateway computers, told lawmakers he handed Maxwell $7.2 million after their relationship ended in 2010. The reason, according to Waitt, was simple. He wanted to help her maintain the luxury lifestyle she had grown used to during their years together.

The testimony quickly grabbed headlines because it painted a picture of a relationship built around money, power, and control. Waitt claimed Maxwell still pushed for more cash even after receiving the multimillion-dollar payment. His comments arrived at the same time the Justice Department made it clear it would not support any pardon for Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking crimes linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Ted Waitt Says Maxwell Wanted "More Money"

Marca / Billionaire Ted Waitt dated Maxwell for around seven years between 2003 and 2010. During testimony before the House Oversight Committee, he described the breakup payment as a “palimony settlement type thing.”

He explained that the split was difficult because Maxwell did not want the relationship to end. Waitt said he hoped the payment would soften the blow and help her continue living comfortably.

Even with the massive payout, Waitt testified that Maxwell remained unhappy. He claimed she demanded more money after the agreement was finalized. According to him, he refused to continue paying and eventually stepped back from handling the situation directly. He said his staff took over communication because Maxwell was emotionally devastated by the breakup.

Waitt also admitted he regularly gave Maxwell thousands of dollars every month during their relationship. That detail added another layer to the testimony because it showed how financially dependent the relationship had become over time. The newly released statements offered a rare look into Maxwell’s personal life before her criminal conviction.

Regret Over The Relationship

One of the strongest moments from the testimony came when Waitt spoke about regret. He told lawmakers he would never have allowed Maxwell near his family if he had known what he knows now. He specifically mentioned his four children and said he deeply regrets ever trusting her.

That statement carried weight because Waitt claimed Maxwell downplayed Epstein’s crimes during their relationship. Epstein had already pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor, but Waitt testified that Maxwell minimized the seriousness of the case. He said he did not fully understand her involvement or the extent of the abuse connected to Epstein.

The comments show how Maxwell allegedly managed her public image around wealthy friends and partners. She continued moving in elite circles for years, even as Epstein’s legal troubles became widely known. Critics have often questioned how many people around the pair ignored warning signs or chose not to ask difficult questions.

DOJ Rejects Pardon Recommendation

TCD / Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told a Senate appropriations subcommittee that the Justice Department would not recommend a pardon for her.

That response came after Senator Chris Van Hollen directly asked whether the department would oppose clemency.

Blanche answered clearly and publicly. He stated that the department would not support a pardon recommendation “of course.” His remarks immediately fueled new discussion because rumors about possible clemency have circulated for months. Maxwell’s legal team has reportedly floated the idea of cooperation in exchange for consideration from President Donald Trump.

Despite Blanche’s comments, the final decision still belongs to the president. Trump has the constitutional authority to grant clemency regardless of Justice Department recommendations. So far, Trump has said he has not seriously considered pardoning Maxwell.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence at a minimum security prison in Texas. Her legal team continues fighting the conviction while public interest around the Epstein scandal remains intense.