Hillary, Bill Clinton testify about Jeffrey Epstein. What we know

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are scheduled to testify before a House committee this week as it investigates the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"We look forward to questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and (Ghislaine) Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors," House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky) said earlier this month.

Hillary and Bill Clinton to testify about Jeffrey Epstein

The Clintons agreed to appear in person after the Republican-led House moved toward a vote to hold them in contempt of Congress, a step that could have led to criminal charges.

The high-profile Democrats had previously offered to cooperate with the panel but not appear in person, saying the investigation was a partisan exercise aimed at protecting President Donald Trump.

Have the Clintons appeared in the Epstein files?

Bill Clinton appears in documents related to Epstein that have been released by the Department of Justice. The former president is among many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business who have appeared in the files − both before and after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges.

Clinton's name appears in flight logs from 2002 and 2003 that document travel with Epstein to destinations including Thailand, Portugal, Ghana, Russia and China. Those trips took place years before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to prostitution involving a minor.

The former president also appeared in pictures and in a handwritten note in a book that Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, assembled for Epstein’s 50th birthday.

Hillary Clinton’s name appears more than 700 times in the Epstein documents, with the majority being news articles about her 2016 presidential campaign that were shared with Epstein.

Outside the files, Clinton has been questioned over Maxwell's attendance at a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative conference. CNN reported that Maxwell was listed as an honored guest at the event after she had already been publicly accused in civil lawsuits of helping Epstein sexually abuse minors.

In a BBC interview, Clinton said Maxwell’s attendance at the event was circumstantial as "thousands of people go to the Clinton Global Initiative."

"So, to me, it’s not something that is really at the heart of what this matter is about," she said. "They are accused and, in both cases, were convicted of horrific crimes against girls and women. That should be the focus."

When will the Clintons testify about Jeffrey Epstein?

Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify Thursday, Feb. 26, followed by Bill Clinton on Friday, Feb. 27.

Will the Clintons' testimony be filmed?

Both depositions will be transcribed and filmed, but filming will take place behind closed doors at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons' house in Chappaqua, New York.

The transcript and video will be released as soon as all participants agree, according to Comer, who is leading the inquiry.

What has Hillary Clinton said about Jeffrey Epstein?

Hillary Clinton accused House lawmakers of going on "a fishing expedition" for information rather than questioning Justice Department officials who failed to prosecute Epstein.

"If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions," she said. "What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?"

Hillary Clinton, in her opening statement, told the committee that she knew nothing about Epstein's criminal activity.

"I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that," Hillary Clinton said.

Clinton, the Democratic Party nominee who lost to Trump in 2016, urged the committee not to rely on press gaggles with Trump but to ask him "directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files."

CONTRIBUTING: John Tufts, Indianapolis Star