Bill Gates Denies Personal Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein to US Committee

California. American billionaire businessman Bill Gates has told the US parliamentary committee that he never had a personal relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates, who voluntarily appeared for a closed-door hearing before the US Parliament's oversight committee on Wednesday, said he ended his relationship with Epstein after Epstein's promise to raise funds for his philanthropic campaign did not materialize. The hearing, held in the US capital Washington, reportedly included Gates providing the committee with the names of some influential people Epstein had contacted for fundraising. During the hearing, he also discussed his extramarital affairs, accusing Epstein of using them to pressure him. According to committee members, Gates' testimony indicates that Epstein was a person who collected influential friends and sought to increase his influence by maintaining relationships with powerful individuals.

In his initial statement, Gates stated that he had not seen or received any indication of Epstein's involvement in any criminal activity. He claimed he never visited his private island, ranch, or Florida home, and that he had not victimized anyone. "He may have sought a personal relationship, but I had no interest in it and never reciprocated," he said. Gates also expressed hope that victims of Epstein's crimes would receive justice.

Prominent Leaders Also Under Committee Scrutiny

Previously, the committee had also questioned former US President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and other influential individuals. Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial. His long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Although she appeared before the committee virtually last February, she refused to answer questions.

Bill Gates' name was mentioned thousands of times in the millions of pages of Epstein-related documents released by the US Department of Justice in January this year. He was seen with Epstein in some photographs. Gates has denied any involvement in illegal activities and stated that he was unaware of Epstein's crimes. "I regret every minute spent with him," he said.

Recalling a previous interview, Gates admitted that meeting Epstein was a poor decision. "I am one of many people who regret knowing him," he said. Some of the documents released by the Department of Justice show Gates near Epstein's private jet. Gates has admitted to traveling on Epstein's private jet once.

Some of the released email drafts contain various claims by Epstein about Gates' personal life. These claims include allegations of arranging affairs with married women, contracting sexually transmitted infections through Russian women, and providing medication for treatment. Another email claims Gates tried to give his then-wife Melinda Gates antibiotics without her knowledge. Gates has denied these allegations. However, he has admitted to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women. "Epstein was using my extramarital affairs and many added false stories to pressure me to get back in touch," he told the committee.

How Did the Relationship Start?

According to Gates, their relationship began in 2011, three years after Epstein was convicted on two counts of prostitution in Florida. They discussed potential fundraising for Gates' global health philanthropic projects. Gates stated that from the beginning, he made it clear that Epstein would not be given any role in his foundation and would not receive any remuneration. However, in 2014, after Epstein introduced him to a group of potential donors, and no support materialized, he decided to end the relationship. "At that time, I understood that Epstein's promises would not be fulfilled. After that, I stopped both contact and meetings with him," Gates said.