Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared before US lawmakers on Wednesday morning for questioning about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as Congress continues investigating the disgraced financier’s network of wealthy associates.
Gates, among the world’s wealthiest individuals and prominent philanthropist, attended a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee regarding Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors.
“I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims,” Gates told reporters before entering the hearing room, declining to answer further questions.
The committee requested Gates’ appearance following Justice Department document releases that raised fresh questions about his contact with Epstein. Several other high-profile figures have testified before the panel, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
A spokesperson for Gates said the billionaire welcomed the opportunity to appear before the committee, emphasising he had “never witnessed or participated in Epstein’s illegal conduct.”
Controversial email surfaces
The released files include a 2013 draft email suggesting Epstein helped Gates manage fallout from extramarital affairs, including seeking antibiotics following a sexually transmitted infection.
Gates has called the email fabricated and denied the allegations. Speaking to Australian television in February, he described his association with Epstein as “foolish” but maintained the relationship was unconnected to the financier’s crimes.
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“Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that. It’s factually true that I was only at dinners. I never went to his island, I never met any women,” Gates said.
Appearing in Epstein-related documents does not constitute evidence of criminal activity.
Gates reportedly told foundation staff about affairs with two Russian women but denied spending time with Epstein’s victims. He said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s guilty plea in Florida for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Reports suggest Gates’ then-wife Melinda French Gates raised concerns about Epstein in 2013, but he continued the relationship for at least another year. French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021, has said remaining questions about the relationship are for others to answer.
Ongoing investigation
The House Oversight Committee is investigating Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a broader examination of government handling of the case and file releases.
US President Donald Trump, who also maintained a relationship with Epstein, initially opposed releasing the files, prompting accusations of a cover-up during his first year back in office.
Democratic lawmakers say they intend to question what Gates knew about Epstein’s crimes and the full nature of their relationship.
The interview will not be videotaped, unlike several others released by the committee.
US media reported Gates hired former Justice Department lawyer John Moran and received preparation from Jake Greenberg, a former top Oversight Committee investigator. Ethics experts said this raised questions about optics but did not necessarily violate rules.
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