Gates says Epstein used marital infidelity to pressure him, apologizes to lawmakers

Bill Gates told House Oversight Committee investigators that Jeffrey Epstein tried to use knowledge of his marital infidelity to pressure him, adding another layer to the scrutiny of how the financier cultivated influence among powerful men. Gates appeared voluntarily on Capitol Hill for a closed-door, transcribed interview and said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

Gates said Epstein may have wanted a personal relationship, but Gates was “never interested” and “never reciprocated.” He also said he was “deeply sorry” for associating with Epstein, called the meetings a “grave error in judgment,” and said he “should have never met” Epstein in the first place. Gates said he hoped his testimony would help bring justice for Epstein’s victims.

The Microsoft co-founder said he first met Epstein in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. Gates said he was introduced through people in his professional and philanthropic circle and believed Epstein could raise billions of dollars for global health causes. That effort never produced any donations, and Gates said he cut off ties in 2014 after concluding Epstein could not deliver on the fundraising promises.

The committee’s inquiry deepened after Chairman James Comer requested Gates’ testimony once Gates’ name appeared multiple times in Epstein-related records released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Gates joins a growing list of high-profile figures drawn into the panel’s work, including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Howard Lutnick and Pam Bondi, as lawmakers press both Epstein’s network and the government’s handling of the case.

Gates’ account also speaks to a wider institutional failure: Epstein was able to move among wealthy, well-connected figures while carrying a record that included the 2008 Florida guilty plea. Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, but the revelations have still rattled the Gates Foundation, which has been reviewing his ties to Epstein as the public release of additional records renews questions about how much influence Epstein retained long after his conviction.