Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged that his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment,” while firmly denying any involvement in criminal activities linked to the disgraced financier.
Gates made the remarks during a closed-door testimony before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday as lawmakers continued their investigation into Epstein’s network and connections with prominent public figures.
In his prepared statement, Gates admitted that meeting and maintaining contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction was a serious mistake that damaged his reputation and cast a shadow over his philanthropic work.
“I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates told lawmakers, describing the relationship as a “grave error in judgment.”
Despite acknowledging poor judgment, Gates strongly rejected any suggestion that he participated in or was aware of Epstein’s criminal activities.
According to his testimony, Gates said he never witnessed illegal conduct by Epstein, never visited his private island, ranch, or Florida residence, and had no involvement in any abuse of victims. He also stressed that he has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein case.
The Microsoft co-founder explained that he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 through individuals involved in philanthropic and professional circles. At the time, Gates said he believed Epstein could help mobilize significant financial support for global health and development initiatives. However, he eventually severed ties after concluding that Epstein could not deliver on those promises.
During the hearing, Gates also revealed that Epstein later attempted to pressure him by exploiting personal information related to his past marital infidelities.
According to Gates, Epstein became aware of details about his private life and sought to use that information, along with what Gates described as false claims, to re-establish contact. Gates told lawmakers that those efforts were unsuccessful and that he resisted any attempts at coercion.
The testimony forms part of a broader congressional inquiry into Epstein’s relationships with influential figures in politics, business, and philanthropy. The House Oversight Committee has spent months reviewing documents and interviewing individuals connected to Epstein as lawmakers seek a fuller understanding of his network and the extent of his influence.
Committee Chairman James Comer has stated that Gates is not being accused of any criminal wrongdoing but was invited to provide information regarding his interactions with Epstein and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Gates expressed remorse over the credibility his association may have inadvertently lent to Epstein, saying he deeply regrets the relationship and its consequences.
The billionaire said he welcomed the opportunity to testify voluntarily and hoped his cooperation would assist lawmakers in their efforts to uncover facts and support justice for Epstein’s victims.
Epstein, a financier who was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. The case continues to attract global attention due to the extensive network of high-profile figures who had contact with him over the years.
