Bill Gates says Epstein tried to blackmail him over his infidelity with his wife, Melinda Gates

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, arrives to give testimony to the US House of Representatives committee investigating the role of federal authorities in the case involving Jeffrey Epstein
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Bill Gates told members of Congress on Wednesday (10) that he "did not fully understand the extent" of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes when he partnered with the late convicted sex offender to raise money for his philanthropic foundation.
Gates also testified that he never witnessed any criminal conduct on the part of Epstein. He accused Epstein of blackmailing him over his extramarital affairs. The information is from Reuters.
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"These cases had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family," Gates said, according to a copy of his opening statement.
"Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities - in addition to the many lies he added - to pressure me to resume contact with him."
Congress has been investigating the way the United States Department of Justice handled the Epstein case. The billionaire's testimony dealt with his contacts with the convicted sex offender who attracted women and girls from poor or unstable backgrounds.
The Microsoft co-founder testified privately to the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is investigating possible federal failures in the handling of cases against Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and related issues.
Representative James Comer, the committee's Republican chairman, asked in a letter sent in March that Gates appear for an in-person interview transcribed.
Gates hired Jake Greenberg, who was the oversight committee's lead investigator until December, to help him prepare for the deposition, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. A committee spokesperson told Reuters that the panel has not worked with Greenberg since his departure.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a state criminal prostitution charge in Florida and served 13 months in prison.
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Federal prosecutors charged him with sex trafficking of minors in 2019. Epstein pleaded not guilty to those charges and died in what was ruled a suicide later that year, before his trial.
Documents released This year by the Justice Department indicated that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's 2008 prison term to discuss expanding the tech billionaire's philanthropic efforts. They also included photos of Gates posing with women whose faces were obscured. Gates has previously said his relationship with Epstein was limited to discussions related to philanthropy and said it was a mistake to meet with him.
Gates "took responsibility for his actions" at a February all-hands meeting with Gates Foundation officials, a spokesperson for the philanthropic organization told Reuters.
Gates' relationship with Epstein also involved the Gates Foundation, which said in April it had begun an external review of its relationship with the late financier.
Emails released in January by the Department of Justice also showed communications between Epstein and officials at the Gates Foundation.
The House committee's investigation includes how authorities conducted investigations and prosecutions, plea deals, Epstein's death, failures to combat sex trafficking, ethical concerns and delays in the release of government files.
The Justice Department's release of millions of internal documents related to Epstein revealed his ties to many prominent figures in politics, finance, academia and business, including President Donald Trump, who maintained extensive social contact with Epstein in the decades 1990 and 2000.
Relationship with Epstein
Bill Gates appears alongside young man whose face was hidden in Jeffrey Epstein's files
House Oversight Committee Democrats/ Handout via Reuters
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a charge related to the sexual exploitation of minors in Florida and served 13 months in prison.
Years later, in 2019, he was accused by federal prosecutors of sex trafficking of minors. He denied the accusations and died in prison before trial, in a death ruled a suicide by authorities.
Documents released this year by the US Department of Justice show that Gates and Epstein met several times after their 2008 conviction.
According to the records, the meetings involved discussions about possible philanthropic initiatives and social projects.
The disclosures also included photographs of Gates alongside unidentified women. The businessman has previously stated that his relationship with Epstein was limited to conversations about philanthropy and acknowledged that it was a mistake to have maintained contact with him.
In February, Gates "took responsibility for his actions" during a meeting with Gates Foundation officials, according to a spokesperson for the organization interviewed by Reuters.
Gates Foundation under scrutiny
The relationship between Gates and Epstein also led the Gates Foundation to launch an external investigation into the businessman's contacts with the financier, the institution reported in April.
In addition, emails released by the Department of Justice showed exchanges of messages between Epstein and employees of the foundation.
What the committee investigates
The House committee analyzes several aspects of the case, including the role of authorities in investigations and legal proceedings, agreements reached with defendants, Epstein's death in prison, possible failures in the fight against sex trafficking, ethical issues and delays in the release of official documents.
The release of millions of internal documents by the Department of Justice revealed Epstein's connections with influential figures in the politics, business, finance and academia.
Among the names mentioned in the documents is the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who maintained a social relationship with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who left office in April, was also the target of criticism for her handling of issues related to the case. Trump resisted releasing the files for years, but Congress later passed a law mandating the release of the documents.

Source: G1