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Bill Gates denies wrongdoing in Epstein ties during U.S. Congress testimony
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Elections & Politics

Bill Gates denies wrongdoing in Epstein ties during U.S. Congress testimony

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Bill Gates testified before a U.S. Congressional committee investigating his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Gates stated he never witnessed or had indications of Epstein's criminal activity and never harmed anyone.
  • He reiterated that his association with Epstein was a "huge mistake" and denied visiting Epstein's properties.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates firmly denied any involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes during testimony before a U.S. Congressional committee. The committee is investigating the billionaire's past association with the convicted sex offender.

I want to state very clearly: I never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was engaged in any ongoing criminal activity.

— Bill GatesDuring his opening remarks to a U.S. Congressional committee.

"I want to state very clearly: I never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was engaged in any ongoing criminal activity," Gates stated in his opening remarks, which were later published on his GatesNotes website. The 70-year-old billionaire asserted, "I have never harmed anyone." He acknowledged that Epstein had attempted to "cultivate a personal relationship" with him, but Gates maintained he was never interested and never visited Epstein's properties, including his island, ranch, or Florida home.

I have never harmed anyone.

— Bill GatesAsserting his innocence regarding Epstein's crimes.

Following a closed-door hearing lasting over five hours, Gates departed the Capitol in Washington without speaking to the press. Earlier, upon his arrival, he expressed hope that his testimony would "aid the important work of this committee in bringing justice to the victims" of Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 awaiting trial for sex crimes. At the time of his death, Epstein faced accusations of trafficking minors to his Caribbean island.

I never went to his island, his ranch, or his house in Florida.

— Bill GatesDenying visiting any of Epstein's properties.

Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican congressman, had stated before the hearing that members sought to understand Gates' relationship with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Comer emphasized that "No one is accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing." In late February, Gates had described his relationship with Epstein as a "huge mistake," admitting to his foundation members that he had extramarital affairs with two Russian women but denying any connection to Epstein's actions. Gates' relationship with Epstein reportedly began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges involving minors.

No one is accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing.

— James ComerChairman of the investigative committee, speaking to the press before the hearing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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