WASHINGTON — The House Oversight Committee this week interviewed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates about his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as lawmakers continue a broader congressional investigation into the handling of Epstein-related matters and the network of individuals who had contact with him. Gates appeared for a closed-door transcribed interview on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, according to committee officials and media reports.
The interview was conducted by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which has been seeking testimony from individuals connected to Epstein. Gates participated voluntarily and arrived at the Capitol accompanied by legal advisers, according to reports from NPR and other U.S. media outlets.
Before entering the interview, Gates told reporters, “I’m glad to be here voluntarily to testify, to help with the committee’s work,” adding that he hoped his testimony would assist efforts “to find justice for the victims.”
In prepared remarks released before or during the interview, Gates described his association with Epstein as “a grave error in judgment.” He told lawmakers that he met Epstein through professional and philanthropic contacts in 2011 and believed at the time that Epstein might help attract donors for global health initiatives. Gates said he later ended contact after those efforts did not materialize.
Gates also told the committee that he never witnessed or had knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct. “I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct,” Gates said in prepared remarks cited by several news organizations. He further stated that he had never visited Epstein’s private island, ranch or Florida residence.
Lawmakers from both parties questioned Gates about why he continued to meet with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. According to reports citing sources familiar with the interview, Gates acknowledged knowing Epstein had a prior sex-related conviction but said he did not understand the full extent of Epstein’s crimes at the time.
Committee Chairman James Comer has said the panel is examining records, testimony and government files connected to Epstein. Gates has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the investigation, according to statements from lawmakers and reports covering the hearing.
As of Friday, the committee had not released a full transcript of Gates’ interview. Details of the questioning remain limited because the session was conducted behind closed doors, and committee officials have not announced when additional records may be made public.
