WASHINGTON — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday about his past interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as part of the panel’s investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related cases.
Gates, who appeared voluntarily, told lawmakers he made a “grave error in judgment” by meeting with Epstein and expressed regret for any credibility his association may have lent the financier. He stated that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and never witnessed any such conduct.
According to Gates’ opening statement, the two first met around 2011, with discussions focused on potential philanthropic fundraising for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. No significant funding resulted from those efforts, and Gates said he cut ties after several years.
Gates told the committee that Epstein later attempted to pressure him to re-engage by exploiting information about his extramarital affairs. “Epstein tried to use that information to pressure me to re-engage with him,” Gates said in prepared remarks.
He added that he never visited Epstein’s island, ranch or Florida home and was “deeply sorry” for the association. Gates emphasized his hope that the testimony would aid efforts to achieve justice for victims.
The hearing is one of several conducted by the committee examining federal handling of cases involving Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Gates’ name appeared multiple times in recently released Justice Department files related to the investigations.
Committee members from both parties described Gates as cooperative during the hours-long session, which was not open to the public or recorded on video. A transcript is expected to be released later.
Gates has long described his meetings with Epstein as a mistake and has denied any involvement in or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. The Gates Foundation has stated that a limited number of its employees met with Epstein based on his claims of being able to mobilize philanthropic resources for global health, but no joint charitable fund was created.
As of Thursday, no further immediate developments from the committee were reported. Lawmakers indicated the investigation into Epstein-related matters is ongoing, with additional testimonies anticipated. Details about potential next steps in the probe remain unclear.
