Bill Gates testifies before Congress on Epstein ties, calls meetings a 'huge mistake'

Bill Gates testified privately before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday as part of a congressional investigation into the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The closed-door session focused on Gates's past relationship with the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

The testimony

Gates arrived at the Capitol for a transcribed interview without video recording. A transcript is expected to be released in the coming days. Before entering, Gates told reporters he hoped his testimony would assist the committee's work.

I hope that my testimony helps the committee's important work to find justice for the victims.

A spokesperson for Gates said he "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee" and stated that "while he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work."

The relationship with Epstein

Documents released by the Justice Department earlier this year showed that Gates met with Epstein repeatedly after Epstein's 2008 conviction on a Florida state felony prostitution charge, for which he served 13 months in jail. The files included photographs of Gates posing with females whose faces are redacted, and records indicating Gates intended to travel on Epstein's private jet in 2013.

Gates has previously said the relationship began in 2011, three years after Epstein's guilty plea, and was confined to philanthropy-related discussions. In a February town hall meeting with Gates Foundation employees, Gates called the association a "huge mistake" and admitted to extramarital affairs with two Russian women, but denied any involvement in Epstein's crimes.

It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein and to invite Gates Foundation leaders to meetings with him. I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal.

The draft email

Among the released documents was a draft email from Epstein, which did not appear to have been sent, claiming he had helped Gates obtain medication to treat the consequences of sexual relations with Russian women. The mention of a person's name in the Epstein files does not in itself imply wrongdoing, but the documents show links between the sex offender or his entourage and prominent figures who have often minimized or denied such relationships.

The Gates Foundation review

Emails released by the Justice Department also showed communication between Epstein and Gates Foundation staff. The foundation said a small number of employees interacted with Epstein based on his claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health and development. Ultimately, no collaboration was pursued and no fund was created.

In April, the foundation announced it had commissioned an external review into its past engagement with Epstein and its current policies for vetting new philanthropic partnerships. The review is ongoing, with an update expected this summer.

The broader committee probe

The House committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, is investigating possible federal mismanagement in the cases against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The probe covers authorities' handling of investigations and prosecutions, plea deals, Epstein's death, failures to combat sex trafficking, ethics concerns, and delays in the release of government files.

Gates hired Jake Greenberg, the oversight panel's former chief investigative official who left in December, to help prepare for the appearance. A committee spokesperson said the panel has not worked with Greenberg since his departure.

Several other political figures have already testified before the committee, including former President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary Clinton, and current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, told reporters earlier this week that lawmakers want to know what Gates knew, who else was in Epstein's orbit, and why Gates continued the relationship.

We want to know what Mr. Gates knew, who else was in that orbit, and why Mr. Gates continued to have a relationship with Mr. Epstein.

Gates has not been accused of any crime in connection with Epstein.