(Daily Signal)—Bill Gates told a House committee Wednesday that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein tried to leverage information about marital infidelity by the Microsoft founder against him.
The billionaire told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that the infidelity was separate from his ties with Epstein, who was charged in 2019 with sex trafficking of minors. Gates added that he was not aware of any criminal activity by Epstein while they maintained a relationship.
“I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage,” Gates said. “These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family.”
This marked the committee’s 15th interview in its investigation of Epstein’s ties to powerful individuals and how the government handled its probe of Epstein. Epstein was known for spending time with leaders in the corporate and political world, including Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.
While Gates’ interview with committee members was behind closed doors, and members were given one hour of question time, his written opening statement was made public. A full transcript of the interview will be released at a later date.
Gates said he initially thought Epstein would be a financial supporter of charitable efforts by the Gates Foundation. He said he later “concluded Epstein would never deliver on his promises.”
Gates said in his statement that it was a “grave error” to ever talk with Epstein. They first talked three years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to felony solicitation of prostitution, as well as procurement of minors to engage in prostitution. He was arrested again in 2019 on new sex trafficking charges. Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019, which investigators determined was a suicide. His business associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced in 2022 for conspiring with Epstein to sexually exploit and abuse minor girls.
“Epstein was working to use the information about my infidelities—in addition to the many lies he layered on top—to pressure me to reengage with him,” Gates said. “He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda.”
Gates said in his opening remarks, “Even if he [Epstein] had delivered the new donors he promised, it would not have justified associating with him.”
“I want to state very clearly: I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct,” Gates said. He added, “I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone.”
Gates said Epstein sought to “build an image of legitimacy around himself, using connections to reputable and powerful people to deflect scrutiny and attempt to rehabilitate his reputation.”
“I was so focused on the possibility of raising funds for global health that I allowed that goal to override my better judgment,” he said.
“No one is accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing, and I certainly appreciate him coming in voluntarily,” House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told reporters before Gates appeared before the panel.
Previously, the committee interviewed both Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, but the Clintons only agreed to appear after initially trying to defy a subpoena and facing the threat of a bipartisan House vote holding them in contempt of Congress.
In February, the committee conducted an interview with Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence on charges of recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein. She invoked her Fifth Amendment right but said she would only answer questions if given clemency. Her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told the panel, “Both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.”
Former attorneys general Pam Bondi and William Barr talked to the committee about how the Justice Department handled the investigation. The committee has interviewed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has also talked to the panel and will likely be back, Comer said.
Comer said the committee would be asking noted attorney and former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz to answer questions. Dershowitz helped Epstein secure his plea deal in 2008.
Democrats on the committee have continuously talked about Trump, who knew Epstein.
“This is about the survivors of Epstein and Maxwell. This is about trying to figure out how the government failed, and this goes back to several administrations, several attorneys general,” Comer said. “This has definitely been a failure in justice. We’re trying to get the proof to the American people, and we’re trying to provide some type of justice for the survivors.”
