Bill Gates calls Epstein ties 'grave error in judgment' at US House hearing

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, testified at a US House hearing on the 10th (local time) that his exchange with sex offender the late Jeffrey Epstein was a "grave error in judgment" and that he was unaware of his sex crimes.

CNN reported that Gates stated in his opening remarks at the closed-door hearing of the House Oversight Committee that day, "I have never witnessed or become aware of Epstein's continuous involvement in criminal activities."

Gates also said, "I have never been to his island, ranch, or Florida home," and "I have not harmed anyone."

He emphasized, "I don't know if Epstein tried to build a personal relationship with me, but I had no interest and never responded to him."

Gates then revealed, "I learned that Epstein had obtained sensitive information about my private life, including the fact that I had an affair during my marriage," adding, "This affair had nothing to do with my exchange with Epstein, but it was a painful experience for my family."

Gates stated that he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 and that Epstein promised he could raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives.

He explained to lawmakers, "I knew that Epstein had legal problems in the past, but I did not understand the severity of the crimes he committed," and "I accepted the introduction without the due diligence I should have performed."

However, he testified that the exchange with Epstein was "limited" and completely severed in December 2014.

Gates claimed that even after their association was cut off, Epstein pressured him to continue the exchange by using his affair.

He said, "His attempt was not successful, but this is an example of how he tried to use our relationship to achieve his intentions," and "I should not have met Epstein in the first place."

Previously, the release of documents related to the Epstein case by the US Department of Justice revealed that Gates had met Epstein multiple times during his lifetime.

The US House Oversight Committee, which has been investigating Epstein's criminal activities, officially requested Gates' appearance and a recorded interview in March, and Gates accepted.

After his friendship with Epstein was revealed, Gates admitted in a meeting with employees of the foundation he founded that he had extramarital affairs twice with Russian women and that Epstein later learned of this. Gates reportedly stated at the time, "I have not done anything illegal, and I have not seen anything illegal."