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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified voluntarily behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee, saying he never witnessed or knew of Jeffrey Epstein’s ongoing criminal conduct.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Bill Gates told lawmakers Wednesday that his past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment,” while denying that he ever witnessed or had knowledge of Epstein’s ongoing criminal conduct.
The Microsoft co-founder appeared voluntarily for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers continued examining Epstein’s network, the government’s handling of his case and the experiences of victims.
In an opening statement reported by The Associated Press, Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place.” He also said he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.”
Gates briefly addressed reporters as he arrived at the Capitol, saying he hoped his testimony would assist the committee.
“I hope my testimony is helpful to the work, the important work, of the committee, to find justice for the victims,” Gates said.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., requested Gates’ testimony after the Microsoft co-founder appeared multiple times in documents released by the Justice Department as part of its Epstein investigation. Comer told reporters before the interview that the committee was not alleging Gates committed a crime.
“No one’s accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing,” Comer said.
“This is about the survivors” of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Comer said. “This is about trying to figure out how the government failed.”
Gates said he was introduced to Epstein through people connected to his professional and philanthropic work. He said Epstein claimed he could help raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives, but Gates ended the relationship in 2014 after concluding Epstein could not deliver on those promises.
Gates also said he never visited Epstein’s island or other properties linked to Epstein.
“I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated,” Gates said.
The documents being reviewed by lawmakers include calendar entries showing meetings between Gates and Epstein, email correspondence about philanthropic projects and photographs of Gates at events also attended by Epstein.
The records indicate the relationship began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and continued until at least late 2014.
Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He has repeatedly denied knowing about Epstein’s abuse of girls and has said their interactions were limited to discussions about philanthropy. He previously called the relationship “a huge mistake.”
Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, have both said his association with Epstein caused tension in their marriage.
The Gates Foundation said in February that a small number of employees met with Epstein because he claimed he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health. The foundation said it never created a charitable fund with Epstein and made no payments to him.
Epstein was indicted federally in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. The Justice Department alleged he created a network of girls, some as young as 14, for sexual abuse between 2002 and 2005.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Justice Department files released in the investigation include references to powerful figures from technology, finance, politics and other industries. Those individuals have denied involvement in Epstein’s crimes, though some maintained or formed relationships with him after his history of sexual abuse became public.
Former President Bill Clinton also appeared for a closed-door deposition in February, answering more than six hours of questions about his association with Epstein more than 20 years ago. Epstein visited the White House several times during Clinton’s presidency, and Clinton occasionally flew on Epstein’s private jet.
Clinton said he saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse and stopped associating with him long before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Democrats on the House committee have called for testimony from President Donald Trump, who also had a documented past relationship with Epstein. Republicans have said they have not found evidence that Trump committed wrongdoing during his association with Epstein.
Comer said Wednesday that he plans to ask attorney Alan Dershowitz to appear before the committee. He also said he has been communicating with the Justice Department about Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appearing for questioning.
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