Bill Gates to face US lawmakers over Jeffrey Epstein ties

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to face questioning from US lawmakers over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. The House Oversight Committee summoned Gates for a transcribed interview following the release of Justice Department documents that raised new questions about his contacts with Epstein.

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Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize 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

These documents include a 2013 draft email where Epstein appeared to suggest he had assisted Gates in managing the consequences of extramarital affairs. The email also mentioned seeking antibiotics after a sexually transmitted infection. Gates has vehemently denied these allegations, calling the email fake and describing his association with Epstein as "foolish."

Gates has stated that he regrets every minute spent with Epstein and apologized for the association, emphasizing that his interactions were limited to dinners and that he never visited Epstein's island or met any women involved in his crimes. He clarified that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor. Gates also acknowledged that his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, had expressed concerns about Epstein in 2013, but he continued the relationship for at least another year.

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I had never witnessed or participated in Epstein's illegal conduct.

Several other prominent figures, including the Clintons and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have also appeared before the committee as part of its broad examination of Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. A spokesperson for Gates stated that the billionaire welcomed the opportunity to appear and reiterated that he "never witnessed or participated in Epstein's illegal conduct."

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Gates has called the email fake and denied the allegations. He told Australian television in February that he had been "foolish" to associate with Epstein, but said the relationship had nothing to do with the financier's crimes.