Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told members of Congress that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to pressure him into re-establishing contact by using information about his extramarital affairs, while insisting he did not fully understand the extent of the late financier’s crimes when they associated.
Testifying privately before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday, Gates said he never witnessed any criminal conduct by Epstein and regretted his interactions with him.
“These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family,” Gates said, according to a copy of his opening statement.
“Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to re-engage with him.”
The testimony came as Congress continues its investigation into the US Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case and related matters involving his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Committee Chairman James Comer had requested Gates’ appearance in a March letter as part of the panel’s inquiry into possible federal mismanagement in investigations and prosecutions linked to Epstein.
Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida state felony prostitution charge in 2008 and served 13 months in jail. Federal prosecutors later charged him with sex trafficking minors in 2019. He pleaded not guilty and died in jail later that year before standing trial.
Documents released by the Justice Department this year showed Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein’s release from prison in 2008 to discuss philanthropic initiatives linked to Gates’ charitable work.
The records also included photographs of Gates with women whose identities were redacted. Gates has previously maintained that his dealings with Epstein were limited to philanthropy-related discussions and has acknowledged that meeting him was a mistake.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation told Reuters that Gates “took responsibility for his actions” during a February town hall meeting with foundation employees.
The foundation has also come under scrutiny because of its past interactions with Epstein. In April, it announced an external review into its engagement with the financier, while emails released by the Justice Department earlier this year showed communication between Epstein and foundation staff.
The House committee’s investigation covers the handling of investigations and plea agreements, Epstein’s death, anti-trafficking efforts, ethics concerns and delays in releasing government records.
Millions of documents released by the Justice Department revealed Epstein’s connections to prominent figures across politics, business, finance and academia, including President Donald Trump, who socialised with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s.
The disclosures have renewed scrutiny of how authorities handled the Epstein case and intensified political debate over the release of government files linked to the financier.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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