Bill Gates tells Congress Jeffrey Epstein tried to use information about his infidelities to get close to him
Billionaire Bill Gates told members of the House Oversight Committee that he had no knowledge of the matter. jeffrey epsteinIt was revealed that Epstein tried to use information about her personal life, including her infidelity in her marriage, to pressure her, according to a copy of her opening statement obtained by CNN.
“I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was involved in any ongoing criminal activity. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his home in Florida. I never victimized anyone. Although he may have attempted to develop a personal relationship, I was never interested in it and never responded,” Gates said in prepared statements Wednesday. “I learned that Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage. These events had nothing to do with my interaction with Epstein, but were painful for my family.”
Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 and that the late convicted sex offender promised he could raise billions of dollars for global health. “I remember being aware that Epstein had previously faced legal problems, but I did not fully understand the extent of his crimes. I accepted this entry without applying the due diligence that I should have done,” he told MPs.
Gates described his interactions with Epstein as “limited” and stated that they ended completely in December 2014.
“He admitted to knowing Mr. Epstein’s reputation. He admitted to knowing Mr. Epstein’s reputation. [Epstein] He was convicted of sexual crimes, but ultimately he saw what he called this narrow relationship as an acceptable means of accessing wealthy donors,” Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said of Gates’ testimony during a break in questioning.
The Microsoft co-founder also claimed in her deposition that she tried to use what she knew about Epstein’s infidelities — “in addition to the many lies he piled up” — to pressure her into re-engaging with him after their relationship ended.
“He failed in that effort, but it shows how he tried to use his interactions with me to further his agenda. I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates said, according to prepared statements.
He told MPs that meeting with Epstein was a “serious error of judgment” on his part.
Gates’ statement behind closed doors came after the report was published Jeffrey Epstein files This year, questions arose about his ties to the deceased convicted sex offender. Gates’ in-person appearance on Capitol Hill on the occasion of the committee’s 15th interview was one of the most high-profile appearances before congressional investigators to date.
After hours behind closed doors on Wednesday, the Microsoft co-founder walked away from a crowd of journalists and protesters. He did not answer the questions asked by members of the media.
Speaking to reporters when he arrived Wednesday, Gates said he was “happy to be here to testify voluntarily to assist the committee’s work,” adding that he would begin with an opening statement.
“I hope my testimony will assist the committee in its important work to find justice for victims,” he said.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer told CNN before Gates’ speech that there were no limits on the scope of questions in the interview.
“Everything is on the table,” the Kentucky Republican added, noting that while Gates may not be “willing” to testify, he is “willing” to talk.
But at one point during questioning, Gates’ lawyer told lawmakers that the billionaire would not answer questions about extramarital affairs unrelated to the Epstein case, according to a person in the room.
Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel, described Gates as “a little combative” but ultimately “collaborative” during the interview.
“He’s holding back on some things. I think you’ll see that in the transcript. But he’s answering questions,” Garcia said.
Gates is among the many powerful figures in Epstein’s orbit; Howard Lutnick with Bill Clinton – who is there appeared in videos or photos It was announced from the case files of the Ministry of Justice.
Comer told reporters Wednesday that he plans to ask more high-profile people, including Alan Dershowitz and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, to testify in July.
Gates’ relationship with Epstein is being examined
The oversight panel requested Gates’ voluntary cooperation after a series of graphic, unsubstantiated allegations in a portion of the released documents revealed a more detailed level of philanthropic coordination between Gates and Epstein than previously known.
Like CNN previously reportedThe most explosive elements of the previous document release included two draft emails that Epstein wrote himself in July 2013. In these stream-of-consciousness notes, full of typos and harsh criticism, Epstein appears to claim that Gates facilitated sexual intercourse and helped him obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection from his wife.
It’s unclear who wrote or whether the 2013 draft messages stored in Epstein’s email account were sent, but they were addressed to Epstein himself. Meetings and email exchanges continued during this time, although the emails suggest some kind of break in their friendship at the time.
epstein requested He helped Gates buy drugs to deal with “the consequences of sex with Russian girls” and “illegal trysts with married women,” he said in an email. The email also states that Gates asked Epstein to provide Adderall for bridge tournaments.
Other draft email allegations He said Gates tearfully asked Epstein to delete messages that referenced an STD, “your request to provide you with antibiotics that you could secretly give to Melinda” and explicit personal details about his penis.
The claims contained in the draft email are unverified and unsubstantiated. There is no indication that the message was shared with Gates or anyone else, and Gates has not been charged with any crimes related to Epstein.
Garcia told reporters that Gates was asked about the draft emails, including those related to sexually transmitted disease, during the closed-door meeting. Two sources familiar with Gates’ testimony said Gates denied the STD claim, and Garcia stated that Gates “felt that Mr. Epstein would write him emails and just say things that were not true or did not happen.”
Garcia said Gates “has made it very clear that he was never introduced to women, girls or anyone underage by Mr. Epstein, he has made that clear repeatedly, but he will continue to be asked questions about these emails.”
Gates has previously strongly denied the allegations, and a representative for Gates previously told CNN: “These allegations are completely ridiculous and completely false. All these documents show is Epstein’s disappointment that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths to which he went to trap and smear. While Mr. Gaties acknowledges that meeting with Epstein was a serious lapse in judgment, he expressly denies any improper conduct regarding Epstein and the egregious activities that Epstein was involved in. Mr. “He categorically denies his horrific activities.” “Gates never visited Epstein’s island, never attended parties with him, and was not involved in any illegal activity associated with Epstein.”
Gates was asked about the latest documents in an interview with CNN affiliate Nine News in Australia. February.
“Apparently Jeffrey wrote himself an email. The email was never sent, it’s fake as you know. So I don’t know what he was thinking there. It just reminds me that I regret every minute I spent with him and apologize for doing that,” Gates said.
He added: “It’s actually true that I’ve only been to dinners, you know, I’ve never been to the island. I’ve never met any women. So, you know, as this comes out, it’s going to become clearer and clearer that although it was an error of time, it had nothing to do with this kind of behavior.”
Gates has also previously stated that he regrets meeting with Epstein, telling CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2021: “It was a big mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility that he was there.”
The more than 3 million pages released by the Department of Justice contain hundreds of references to Gates; including numerous emails detailing meetings, meals and similar schedules. recommended phone calls and Epstein’s attempts to arrange meetings with Gates. All documented interactions with Gates occurred after Epstein was convicted on prostitution-related charges in 2008. evening meal the couple shared in 2010 or meeting In Norway in August 2012.
Gates: “I enjoyed the breakfast very much” wrote Epstein in December 2014.
Epstein responded in part by saying “as always everyone liked it=you loved it” and finished by inviting Gates to his private island, which Gates claims he has never visited. There is no indication that Gates accepted the invitation.
Ahead of Gates’ appearance on Capitol Hill, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top House Democrat, said it was “very concerning” that Gates continued his relationship with Epstein after the late sex offender’s conviction.
“We said we don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat or who you are,” Garcia said Tuesday. “I think it’s very concerning that Mr. Gates still had a relationship with Mr. Epstein even after he learned of the conviction, that he actually knew what he was doing. So we want to know what Mr. Gates knew, who else was in that orbit, and why Mr. Gates continued his relationship with Mr. Epstein.”
This headline and story have been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Nicky Robertson contributed to this report.
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