On April 16, Microsoft founder Bill Gates gave a closed-door deposition before the US House Oversight Committee regarding his ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement released online, Gates insisted he never witnessed or was aware of Epstein's criminal conduct.
"Let me be clear: I never witnessed or saw any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal activity. I never visited his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I never harmed anyone. While he may have sought to build a personal relationship, I was never interested in or reciprocated that," Gates wrote.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said lawmakers wanted to clarify Gates's relationship with Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. "We just want to know about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell. What did he see? Did he know what was happening? Was he involved?" Comer said, while stressing that no one is accusing Gates of wrongdoing.
According to testimony, Gates first met Epstein in 2011 while seeking philanthropic funds. Epstein claimed he could raise billions of dollars from people he had advised on taxes and real estate. Gates acknowledged knowing Epstein had faced legal trouble but said he did not fully grasp the extent of his crimes.
Gates said he met Epstein three times in 2011 and twice in 2012, with conversations becoming "more extensive" until late 2014, when he cut off contact. "I concluded that Epstein would never deliver on his promises. I told him we would not go further and ended communications," Gates recounted.
Gates also referenced leaked emails showing Epstein discussed his extramarital affairs. He accused Epstein of trying to use that information to blackmail him. "These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they caused pain to my family. Epstein tried to use that information, along with many lies, to pressure me into reconnecting. He failed," Gates said.
Closing his statement, Gates admitted meeting Epstein was "a serious mistake in judgment." "If the time I spent with Epstein gave him any added credibility, I am deeply sorry. I have learned a huge lesson and am now much more careful about the people I choose to interact with," he wrote.
Gates's deposition was the 15th interview conducted by the House Oversight Committee. Previously, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with many other figures, have participated. Notably, President Donald Trump — who also had dealings with Epstein — has not been invited. The committee plans to interview investment banker Leon Black, Clinton aide Doug Band, and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley in the coming weeks.
Epstein was accused of running a decades-long sex trafficking ring involving hundreds of victims. He died in federal custody in 2019, with his death ruled a suicide, while facing federal sex trafficking charges.
