Bill Gates is set to give evidence to the US Congress in the Jeffrey Epstein case
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is set to give evidence in June this year to a US Congressional committee investigating the activities of Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC reports.
Members of Congress have confirmed that on 3 March they wrote to Gates asking him to speak about his links with Epstein. Several prominent figures have already appeared before the committee, including former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A representative for Gates told the BBC that he “would be happy to answer any questions from committee members to assist with their important work”.
Epstein’s victims have not made any allegations against Gates. His name is mentioned repeatedly in documents from the so-called ‘Epstein dossier’ released by the US Department of Justice, though mere mention does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing.
The Department of Justice has released around three million documents in the case, with several million more remaining unpublished.
Gates has made no secret of the fact that he maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein for a time, but insists he was unaware of his crimes. According to his foundation, he held a meeting with staff and ‘took responsibility for his actions’, answering questions.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Gates apologised to staff and admitted that he had had two affairs with women from Russia, which had come to Epstein’s attention. The publication also reported that Epstein had attempted to blackmail Gates over one of these affairs.
“I didn’t do anything illegal. I didn’t see anything illegal,” Gates told staff.
According to the same publication, Gates stated that he met Epstein in 2011, after the latter had already pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He was also aware of the travel restrictions imposed on Epstein but failed to check his background properly.
Gates had previously commented on these ties in an interview with the Australian broadcaster 9News. He stated that their contact was limited to shared dinners and that he had never been to Epstein’s island.
“I regret every minute I spent with him and apologise for that,” Gates said.
In a statement to the BBC, his representative emphasised that Gates had never attended parties with Epstein and had not been involved in his illegal activities.
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and former Attorney General Pam Bondi are also expected to testify before the commission in the coming months.
