Bill Gates has given evidence to lawmakers looking into Jeffrey Epstein’s network and influence.
The Microsoft co-founder appeared before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door interview on June 10 and said Epstein had attempted to blackmail him using allegations about Gates being unfaithful during his marriage.
The committee has been investigating the federal government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases, as well as the ways Epstein and Maxwell allegedly sought to build influence and shield their activities. In a March 3 letter requesting Gates’ testimony, chairman James Comer said the panel believed Gates had information that could assist the inquiry.
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, had connections to numerous high-profile figures around the world. He died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, and Maxwell was later convicted on federal sex-trafficking-related counts. Many survivors have alleged they were trafficked and abused by Epstein and his associates.
Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing over his links to Epstein and has repeatedly said he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal abuse.
At a Microsoft town hall, a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal reflected Gates’ account of those interactions.
‘I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit’
He also said:
“To be clear I never spent any time with victims, the women around him. It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein and bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with the sex offender.
“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
Before entering the closed-door session, Gates told journalists he wanted to assist the inquiry.
“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.”
According to a transcript of the hearing, Gates, 70, said Epstein tried to pressure him by referring to what Gates described as ‘sensitive information’ involving two Russian women and his relationship with Melinda French Gates.
“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,” Gates said according to the transcript seen by CNN.
He also told the committee:
“I have never victimized anyone.”
Gates described meeting Epstein at all as a “grave error in judgment” and said he should never have met with him in the first place. He also said he never witnessed, and had no indication of, ongoing criminal conduct during the meetings he attended.
He is one of several prominent figures to have been interviewed by the committee as part of its wider review of the Epstein files and related investigations. The panel has also released transcripts from interviews with former Gateway computer executive Ted Waitt and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while additional witnesses have been scheduled in the broader inquiry.
The Bill Gates Foundation had previously addressed the matter in a statement.
“The harm Epstein inflicted on women and girls was horrific, and no one should ever have to experience what they did.
“The safety and wellbeing of women and girls is core to the foundation’s mission of helping every person live a healthy and productive life, which we remain fully committed to.
“The foundation regrets having any employees interact with Epstein in any way.”
Gates stepped down from the foundation’s board in 2024, and the organisation now operates as Gates Foundation. His past meetings with Epstein have drawn scrutiny for years, especially because some also involved foundation staff.
Many well-known names have appeared in records released by Epstein’s estate, the Justice Department or in court filings, though inclusion in those documents alone does not amount to evidence of wrongdoing.