Bill Gates informed the House Oversight Committee that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to use compromising information about Gates' extramarital affairs to force his way back into Gates' life. Gates testified in a closed-door session earlier this month, according to a transcript released Tuesday.
During his testimony on June 10, Gates stated that Epstein, after Gates attempted to end their relationship, used an adviser to send "veiled" threats. Gates believes Epstein coached his own adviser on how to potentially blackmail him, mixing fact and fiction to leverage compromising information. Gates acknowledged having at least three extramarital affairs, none of which involved Epstein and which he said he only disclosed after he had cut ties with Epstein. He stated he was never blackmailed but that Epstein's communications indicated an intent in that direction.
Gates said his interactions with Epstein were limited to business, and he never witnessed Epstein commit a crime. He also stated he did not suspect that women traveling with Epstein were victims of sex trafficking. Gates explained that Epstein occasionally asked to photograph him with women Gates believed to be Epstein's assistants.
Gates initially met Epstein in 2011, believing the financier's connections could aid the Gates Foundation's global health initiatives. He was aware of Epstein's criminal conviction for a sexual offense but did not investigate the specifics at the time. Gates said he only understood the full extent of Epstein's crimes in 2018, following reporting by the Miami Herald.
He suggested that Epstein's association with other high-profile individuals, including himself, lent Epstein an "image of legitimacy." Gates expressed regret if his relationship with Epstein inadvertently conferred credibility, stating he has learned a significant lesson and is now more cautious about his associations.
Describing Epstein as having superficial knowledge of science and academics, Gates recalled Epstein claiming to advise numerous billionaires on philanthropy. Gates said Epstein’s invitations to his private island and an erotic show in Paris were refused. Gates also stated that Epstein attempted to leverage his knowledge of Gates' affairs after Gates sought to end communication in 2014. Gates speculated that Epstein learned about the affairs through Gates' science adviser, Boris Nikolic, who was aware of them. Gates said Nikolic used meetings with him as an alibi for rendezvous with one of the women.
Gates told the panel that after he severed ties in 2014, Epstein sought reimbursement for money he claimed to have paid a woman with whom Gates had an affair. Gates said he was unaware of any such payment and viewed the request as a tactic to re-engage him. He stated that this was the first explicit indication that Epstein knew about the affair.