Rockstar Games president Sam Houser and former Grand Theft Auto lead producer Leslie Benzies have been named in newly released documents from the Epstein files, appearing on a witness list in connection with allegations made by Epstein survivor Sarah Ransome. The documents, released by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, 2026, do not allege either man had any connection to Jeffrey Epstein, visited his private island, or appeared on flight logs.
According to the witness list documentation, Ransome was in a romantic relationship with Leslie Benzies during the early 2000s when he was an executive at Rockstar North. She alleges that Benzies committed abuse during their relationship and names Sam Houser, co-founder and president of Rockstar Games, as a witness who “met me ample times” through that relationship and was aware of what was happening. The document also states that Benzies allegedly paid for Ransome’s ticket to New York in September 2006.
No Connection to Epstein Alleged
It’s crucial to clarify what the documents do and don’t say. The witness list does not accuse Sam Houser or Leslie Benzies of any connection to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities. Neither man is alleged to have visited Epstein’s infamous private island, appeared on flight logs of Epstein’s aircraft, or had any association with the convicted sex offender. Their names appear solely in relation to Ransome’s allegations against Benzies from their personal relationship in the early 2000s.
Sarah Ransome is an Epstein survivor who has been vocal about her experiences and advocacy for victims of sex trafficking. Her allegations against Benzies appear to be separate from the Epstein case, relating to their personal relationship during a period when Benzies was rising through the ranks at Rockstar North. The inclusion in the Epstein files appears to be part of the comprehensive documentation the DOJ has been releasing regarding individuals connected to various aspects of the investigation.
Who Are Sam Houser and Leslie Benzies
Sam Houser is one of the most powerful figures in the gaming industry, serving as president of Rockstar Games and co-founding the company with his brother Dan Houser. Sam has been the driving force behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which has sold over 400 million copies worldwide and generated billions in revenue. He’s known for his perfectionism and hands-on approach to game development, personally overseeing every major Rockstar release.
Leslie Benzies is a Scottish video game producer who served as president of Rockstar North from 2007 until his departure in 2016. He was the lead producer on every Grand Theft Auto game from GTA III through GTA V, including GTA Online. Benzies was widely regarded as one of the key architects of GTA’s success, working alongside the Houser brothers to shape the series. In 2005, he and Sam Houser received a BAFTA Special Award for their contribution to the video game industry.
| Person | Role | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Houser | President of Rockstar Games, Co-founder | GTA series, Red Dead Redemption series, Max Payne 3 |
| Leslie Benzies | Former President of Rockstar North (2007-2016) | GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, IV, V, Red Dead Redemption |
| Dan Houser | Former VP of Creative (left Rockstar in 2020) | GTA series writer, Red Dead Redemption series |
The Complicated Benzies-Rockstar Relationship
The relationship between Leslie Benzies and Rockstar ended badly, which adds context to these revelations. In September 2014, Benzies went on sabbatical after the massive success of GTA V. When he attempted to return to work in early 2015, he was told he would not be returning to Rockstar. His departure was announced publicly in January 2016, with Rockstar thanking him for his 15 years of contributions.
In April 2016, Benzies filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive, and both Sam and Dan Houser, claiming he was owed over $150 million in unpaid royalties. The lawsuit alleged that in 2009, Benzies, Sam Houser, and Dan Houser were designated as the “Rockstar Principals,” a group of three financially equal executives sharing in the company’s profits. Benzies claimed that while on sabbatical, the Housers restructured the royalty agreements to funnel money to themselves while cutting him out entirely.
The Messy Lawsuit Details
According to court documents, when Benzies asked why he received no royalties after his sabbatical, he was allegedly told “Sam thinks you’ve had enough.” The lawsuit painted a picture of betrayal, with Benzies claiming he trusted Sam Houser to negotiate deals on his behalf and was repeatedly assured “I’ve got your back” and “Don’t worry, Les, I’ve got it.” The suit characterized Sam Houser’s actions as “a lengthy deception” driven by “mounting resentments after many years of high praise.”
Rockstar and Take-Two filed a counter-suit, arguing that Benzies quit without cause and had no right to demand specific royalty amounts. They claimed that under the royalty plan, an Allocation Committee led by Sam Houser had sole authority to determine bonuses, and Benzies was in breach of contract simply by disputing their decision. The companies insisted the royalty system didn’t guarantee minimum payouts to anyone except through the discretion of company leadership.
The lawsuit included dramatic allegations from both sides. Benzies’ complaint suggested the Houser brothers struggled to complete Red Dead Redemption and needed Benzies to step in and finish the game. It also claimed Rockstar threatened to blame him for GTA V and GTA Online delays if he didn’t accept their terms. The case dragged on for years, with Benzies suffering a significant legal setback in April 2018. The lawsuit was eventually settled in February 2019, with terms remaining confidential.
Impact on GTA 6 and Rockstar
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive given GTA 6’s impending release. Rockstar announced in May 2025 that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on May 26, 2026, after delaying the game from its originally planned fall 2025 window. The game is the most anticipated release in gaming history, with analysts predicting it could generate over $1 billion in revenue within its first week.
While these allegations don’t directly involve Sam Houser in criminal activity, they create unwanted attention at a critical moment for Rockstar. The company has cultivated an image of rebellious creativity and boundary-pushing entertainment, but serious allegations, even ones not involving company leadership directly, can damage brand reputation. Public relations experts will be watching to see if this impacts pre-orders or media coverage leading up to the May launch.
It’s worth noting that Leslie Benzies has not been with Rockstar since 2016, a full decade before GTA 6’s release. After settling his lawsuit with Rockstar, Benzies founded a new studio called Build a Rocket Boy and has been developing a game called MindsEye, which launched in 2025 to disastrous reviews and catastrophic player counts. His absence from Rockstar means he had no involvement in GTA 6’s development, which has been led by Sam Houser and other longtime Rockstar veterans.
Understanding the Epstein Files Context
The Epstein files are a massive collection of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities and associates. These releases have included flight logs, witness statements, victim testimonies, and lists of individuals connected to various aspects of the investigation. Many people named in the documents have no alleged criminal activity; they appear as witnesses, associates of associates, or in tangential contexts.
The inclusion of prominent figures from entertainment, business, and politics has generated significant media attention, but legal experts caution against assuming guilt by association. Being named in the documents can mean anything from direct involvement in criminal activity to simply being mentioned in passing by a witness describing their social circle. In the case of Houser and Benzies, they appear specifically in relation to Ransome’s allegations against Benzies from their personal relationship, not in connection with Epstein.
Industry Reactions and Speculation
The gaming community’s reaction has been mixed, with some expressing concern and others noting the lack of any Epstein connection. Reddit discussions in communities like GamingLeaksAndRumours have focused on separating what the documents actually say from sensationalized headlines. Many commenters emphasized that appearing as a witness to alleged abuse in a personal relationship from 20 years ago is fundamentally different from being accused of crimes related to Epstein’s trafficking network.
Some industry observers have speculated about whether this could impact Rockstar’s corporate relationships or Sam Houser’s standing within Take-Two Interactive. However, given that the allegations don’t involve Houser as a perpetrator and date back over two decades, most analysts believe this is unlikely to affect his position. Houser remains one of the most valuable executives in gaming, with GTA 6 representing potentially the most profitable entertainment release ever made.
The situation is more complicated for Leslie Benzies, whose studio Build a Rocket Boy is already struggling after MindsEye’s failure. The allegations from Ransome could further damage his reputation and make it harder to attract talent or secure funding for future projects. However, as someone who already left the gaming mainstream years ago, the impact on his career may be limited compared to what it would mean for someone still at a major studio.
FAQs
Are Sam Houser and Leslie Benzies accused of crimes related to Jeffrey Epstein?
No. The documents do not allege either man had any connection to Epstein, visited his private island, or appeared on flight logs. They appear on a witness list related to allegations made by Sarah Ransome against Benzies from their personal relationship in the early 2000s.
What are the allegations against Leslie Benzies?
Sarah Ransome, an Epstein survivor, alleges that Benzies committed abuse during their romantic relationship in the early 2000s. She names Sam Houser as a witness who met her multiple times and was aware of the situation. The document states Benzies allegedly paid for her ticket to New York in September 2006.
Why is Sam Houser mentioned in the Epstein files?
Sam Houser is listed as a potential witness in Sarah Ransome’s allegations against Leslie Benzies. Ransome claims Houser “met me ample times” through her relationship with Benzies and knew what was happening. He is not accused of any wrongdoing himself.
When did Leslie Benzies date Sarah Ransome?
According to the documents, Ransome was in a relationship with Leslie Benzies during the early 2000s, a period when Benzies was an executive at Rockstar North working on Grand Theft Auto games.
Does Leslie Benzies still work at Rockstar Games?
No, Leslie Benzies left Rockstar in 2016 after a bitter dispute. He sued the company for $150 million in unpaid royalties, claiming the Houser brothers cut him out of profit-sharing agreements. The lawsuit was settled in 2019 with confidential terms. He now runs Build a Rocket Boy, an independent studio.
Will this affect GTA 6’s release?
It’s unlikely. GTA 6 remains scheduled for May 26, 2026. Leslie Benzies has had no involvement with Rockstar or GTA 6 for nearly a decade. While the revelations create unwanted attention for Sam Houser and Rockstar, there are no allegations of criminal activity against Houser, making it improbable this would delay or impact the game’s launch.
What happened between Leslie Benzies and Rockstar?
Benzies went on sabbatical in September 2014 after GTA V’s success. When he tried to return in 2015, he was told he wouldn’t be coming back. He sued Rockstar, Take-Two, and the Houser brothers for $150 million, claiming they restructured royalty agreements to exclude him while he was on leave. The case settled in 2019 with undisclosed terms.
Who developed GTA 6 without Leslie Benzies?
GTA 6 has been developed under Sam Houser’s leadership along with other longtime Rockstar veterans. After Benzies’ departure in 2016, his responsibilities at Rockstar North were taken over by Aaron Garbut and Rob Nelson, both art directors who worked on GTA V.
Conclusion
The appearance of Sam Houser and Leslie Benzies in the Epstein files highlights how complex and far-reaching these document releases have become. While the initial headlines may sound alarming, the actual content reveals they’re connected to allegations stemming from a personal relationship over 20 years ago, with no connection to Epstein alleged. For Sam Houser and Rockstar Games, this represents unwanted attention four months before GTA 6’s launch, though it’s unlikely to significantly impact the game’s release or reception. For Leslie Benzies, already dealing with the fallout from MindsEye’s failure and his bitter departure from Rockstar, these allegations add another difficult chapter to a career that once reached the highest heights of the gaming industry. As more Epstein files are released, the gaming community will be watching to see if additional context emerges, but for now, the documents reveal witness testimony rather than accusations of criminal activity against either Rockstar executive.