Bill Gates appeared for a closed-door House Oversight interview as lawmakers examine Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to wealthy and powerful associates.
Bill Gates appeared Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for a closed-door, transcribed interview about his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, telling lawmakers in an opening statement that he regretted ever associating with the convicted sex offender.
The Microsoft co-founder is one of the highest-profile figures called before the committee as it examines Epstein’s network and relationships. Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and he used his prepared remarks to deny witnessing criminal conduct or victimizing anyone.
“I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates said in the statement, which CNBC reported was posted online and CBS News said was provided to the network. He added that, based on what he knows now, even successful fundraising would not have justified the association.
Gates said he was introduced to Epstein through people he trusted in professional and philanthropic circles after Epstein claimed he could help raise large sums for global health work. He said the discussions, which ran from 2011 through 2014, focused on possible charitable-giving structures, including donor-advised funds, but ultimately produced no donations and no giving vehicle.
“I want to state very clearly: I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct,” Gates said. “I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone.”
Gates said Epstein later learned sensitive details about his personal life, including infidelity in his marriage, and tried to use that information — along with what Gates called lies — to pressure him to re-engage. “These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family,” Gates said.
CBS News reported that Epstein sent himself emails in 2013 containing unverified allegations about Gates, including a claim involving antibiotics and Gates’ then-wife, Melinda Gates. A Gates spokesperson told CBS in January that those claims were “absolutely absurd and completely false.”
The interview comes after Gates apologized to Gates Foundation staff in February for his ties to Epstein. CNBC reported that Gates told lawmakers the association threatened the foundation’s work, saying reputation is central to partnerships that “save lives” and that meeting Epstein was a “grave error in judgement.”
Lawmakers have been pressing a series of prominent people about their connections to Epstein. CBS News reported that the committee has already interviewed figures including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Les Wexner, Leon Black, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. CNBC reported that the committee questioned Epstein’s former longtime executive assistant, Lesley Groff, a day before Gates’ appearance.
A transcript of Gates’ testimony is expected to be released in the next several days, according to CNBC. Committee members have indicated they plan to ask about emails and other records involving Gates as the panel continues its broader review of Epstein’s associations.
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