Bill Gates faces questioning in US Congress over Epstein ties

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to face questioning from U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday regarding his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House Oversight Committee will conduct a transcribed interview focusing on Gates's interactions with Epstein, whose network has been the subject of intense scrutiny.

The committee's interest was reportedly heightened after the Justice Department released documents that brought Gates's contacts with Epstein back into question. Several other prominent figures, including the Clintons and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have previously appeared before the committee in connection with the Epstein investigation.

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never witnessed or participated in Epstein's illegal conduct

A spokesperson for Gates stated that the billionaire welcomes the opportunity to appear and emphasized that he "never witnessed or participated in Epstein's illegal conduct." Gates has previously described his association with Epstein as "foolish" and expressed regret, telling Australian television in February that he apologized for the association. He clarified that his interactions were limited to dinners and that he never visited Epstein's private island or met any women associated with his crimes.

Despite Gates's denials, a draft email from 2013 surfaced, in which Epstein appeared to suggest he had assisted Gates in managing fallout from extramarital affairs. Gates has called this email fake. The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates acknowledged having affairs with two Russian women but denied spending time with Epstein's victims. His relationship with Epstein reportedly began in 2011, years after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea in Florida for soliciting a minor. Gates's ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, had reportedly raised concerns about Epstein in 2013, but Gates continued the association for at least another year.

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Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that ... It's factually true that I was only at dinners. I never went to (his) island, I never met any women.