Testifying before members of Congress on June 10 as part of an ongoing House Oversight Committee investigation, Bill Gates shed light on his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates said they met in 2011 "through people I trusted in my professional and philanthropic work" and that "Epstein claimed he could raise billions of dollars for global health from people for whom he provided tax and estate services."
Gates added he was initially "aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed (...). If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry."
According to Gates, their interactions ended in December 2014, though later he "learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about [Gates'] personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage (...) Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities—in addition to many lies that he layered on top—to pressure me to reengage with him," Gates said he told lawmakers. "(...) he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda."
Gates claims the blackmail attempts were ultimately unsuccessful.
Gates, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, has repeatedly apologized for having associated with Epstein and denied ever being on the infamous island or Epstein's many estates. The closed-door testimony was requested via letter by Republican Representative James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to which Gates responded voluntarily.
Disgraced multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial for trafficking a minor. But accusations against him dated back decades. Survivors said he preyed on girls as young as 14, often luring them under the guise of giving massages in exchange for money.
Epstein allegedly used his wealth and influence to build a network that recruited girls and connected him to powerful figures, including politicians, Hollywood elites, and even royalty. While no credible evidence has been found to implicate other parties who could have been involved, it is undeniable that Epstein had many connections who could have known about him engaging in child exploitation for years.
Click through the following gallery to learn more about the notable figures we already know were friends with Epstein before his downfall.