Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told U.S. lawmakers that late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appeared to be considering blackmailing him over an extramarital affair, according to a transcript of Gates’ testimony released by a congressional committee.Gates made the remarks during closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee on June 10 as part of an investigation into his past ties to Epstein. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.Gates said Epstein made what he called “veiled” threats and appeared to be exploring ways to use his personal information to maintain influence, even as Gates is distancing himself from the financier.“I was not blackmailed, but you know, when you look at these emails, you know, Mr. Epstein’s brainstorming seemed to be going in this direction,” Gates told lawmakers, referring to Epstein case documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January.He added, “He has never sent me anything that I would call blackmail.”
Gates describes draft email
When questioned, Gates said Epstein appeared to be “rehearsing” how he or others might try to blackmail him, although no such messages were ultimately sent.Gates cited draft emails suggesting Epstein may have been considering exploiting knowledge of Gates’ personal life, AFP reported.The 70-year-old businessman also reiterated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior when their relationship began and insisted that he “never harmed anyone.”
friendship and regret
Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges involving minors.He acknowledged knowing about Epstein’s legal troubles but said he was told the financier could help raise significant funds for global health initiatives.“I knew it was sexual, but, no, I don’t think I knew — delved into the details, even though I probably should have,” Gates said.The testimony echoed comments Gates made in a written statement to a House panel earlier this month, in which he called his relationship with Epstein a “serious error in judgment.”“I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates said in the statement, adding that he regretted any interaction that might have helped enhance Epstein’s reputation.
congressional review
The House Oversight Committee is examining Epstein’s network of contacts with influential figures in politics, business and philanthropy. Lawmakers questioned Gates about meetings held between 2011 and 2014, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.Gates told the panel he had been in contact with Epstein about discussions related to philanthropy and global health funding but later severed ties after those efforts failed to materialize.He has also denied any knowledge of the ongoing criminal activity and has previously said he never visited Epstein’s private island or interacted with any of the victims, the Times of India reported.Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors and died in custody later that year.The release of court and judicial department records has led to renewed scrutiny of his relationships with prominent public figures, although being named in the documents does not in itself suggest wrongdoing.
