Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told members of the House Oversight Committee that he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities and alleged that the disgraced financier attempted to use information about his personal life, including his infidelity, to pressure him.
During a closed-door appearance before lawmakers, Gates said he never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was involved in ongoing criminal conduct during their interactions.
“I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone,” Gates said in prepared remarks.
He added that while Epstein may have sought to establish a closer personal relationship, he never reciprocated those efforts.
“I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage. These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family.”
Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 after being told the financier could help raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives.
According to Gates, he was aware that Epstein had faced legal problems in the past but did not fully understand the extent of his crimes.
“I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have.”
The billionaire described his interactions with Epstein as limited and said all contact ended in December 2014.
Gates further alleged that after the relationship ended, Epstein attempted to use information about his extramarital affairs, along with what he described as false claims, to pressure him into re-engaging.
“He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda. I should never have met with Epstein in the first place.”
He described meeting Epstein as a “grave error in judgment.”
Speaking briefly to reporters before the hearing, Gates said he was cooperating voluntarily with congressional investigators.
“I’m glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee’s work. I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.”
During the questioning, Gates’ attorney reportedly informed lawmakers that his client would not answer questions about his personal affairs unless they were directly related to the Epstein investigation.
The testimony comes amid continued scrutiny of Gates’ past association with Epstein following the release of millions of pages of Justice Department documents related to the late financier.
Among the documents were draft emails allegedly written by Epstein in 2013 containing unverified claims about Gates’ personal life and conduct. The emails, which were never sent, included allegations that Gates has strongly denied.
A representative for Gates previously described the claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” maintaining that while Gates regretted meeting Epstein, he was never involved in any illegal activity connected to him.
Gates has repeatedly stated that spending time with Epstein was a serious mistake.“Every minute I spent with him I regret,” Gates said in an earlier interview.
He has consistently maintained that he never visited Epstein’s private island, never attended parties with him, and had no involvement in any criminal activities associated with the convicted sex offender.
Lawmakers are continuing to investigate Epstein’s network of associates and contacts as part of a broader congressional review of the case.
