Bill Gates set to testify before US Congress in Epstein investigation
Bill Gates Preparing to Appear Before US Congress in Epstein Inquiry
Lawmakers have announced that Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, will appear before the House Oversight Committee in June to discuss his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This marks the latest prominent figure to participate in the ongoing probe into Epstein’s alleged misconduct.
The billionaire philanthropist has not faced direct accusations from Epstein’s victims, and his involvement in the investigation does not suggest any criminal wrongdoing. The committee’s request for his testimony came on March 3, following a wave of high-profile appearances by other individuals linked to the case.
Details in Millions of Documents
Over three million records released by the justice department earlier this year contained information about Gates’ communications and relationship with Epstein. The release of these files was mandated by legislation signed by former President Donald Trump in November, which required the department to disclose all materials from Epstein’s investigation.
“Bill Gates has always been open about his interactions with Epstein, and he is eager to provide clarity on those matters,” stated a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation.
Gates addressed his ties to Epstein during a meeting with staff from his charitable organization, where he “acknowledged the significance of his meetings” and “accepted responsibility for his actions.” His public remarks included a statement that his involvement was limited to dinners and that he never visited Epstein’s island.
Apology and Clarifications
According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates expressed regret for his time with Epstein, claiming he had two affairs with Russian women that the financier later learned about. He described his relationship with Epstein as non- illicit, saying, “I saw nothing illicit. I did nothing illicit.”
“Mr. Gates recognizes that his meetings with Epstein were a misstep, but he insists there was no wrongdoing connected to the financier’s activities,” the Gates spokesperson clarified in a statement to the BBC.
Earlier this year, Gates shared his perspective on Epstein during an interview with 9News in Australia. He emphasized that his interactions were brief and that he had no role in Epstein’s alleged illegal operations. The hearing is scheduled for June 10, with further testimony expected from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Attorney General Pam Bondi in the coming weeks.