Bill Gates tells US lawmakers he 'never victimized anyone' in Epstein testimony

Bill Gates told US lawmakers Wednesday that he's "never victimized anyone" as he began closed-door testimony about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist appeared before the House Oversight Committee for a transcribed interview. The panel wanted to know more about his dealings with Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.

"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct," Gates said in prepared opening remarks released as the interview began. "I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone."

Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 by people he trusted in his professional and philanthropic work. He accepted the introduction because Epstein claimed he could raise billions of dollars for global health projects.

"I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I didn't fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed," Gates said. "I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have."

From 2011 to 2014, Gates had increasingly extensive conversations and meetings with Epstein about charitable giving. But no donations were ever made, no money was raised, and their interactions ended in December 2014.

"I should never have met with Epstein in the first place," Gates said.

The Epstein files include a 2013 draft email in which Epstein appeared to suggest he'd helped Gates manage the fallout from extramarital affairs, including by seeking antibiotics after a sexually transmitted infection. Gates has called the email fake and denied the allegations.

But on Wednesday, Gates acknowledged that Epstein had learned sensitive information about his personal life, including the fact that he'd been unfaithful in his marriage. He accused Epstein of trying to use that information, "in addition to many lies that he layered on top," to pressure him to re-engage.

"He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda," Gates said.

Gates said he now understood that Epstein had sought to build "an image of legitimacy" around himself through ties to reputable and powerful people. "If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry," he said.

President Donald Trump, who'd had a years-long relationship with Epstein, opposed releasing the Epstein files. That opposition sparked accusations of a coverup during his first year back in office. Gates said he supported the release of the files and hoped survivors of Epstein's crimes would receive justice.

"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct."

After Gates emerged from the interview, Republican congressman Tim Burchett suggested Gates appeared "well-coached" and had revealed little, providing no new names to investigators. But Robert Garcia, the committee's top Democrat, said Gates had "provided us with information about other folks that were in Mr Epstein's orbit."

"So far Mr Gates has been cooperative in answering our questions," Garcia told reporters.

The House Oversight Committee has been examining how the government handled the Epstein case and what it's released from its files. Bill and Hillary Clinton and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have already testified.

Simply appearing in Epstein-related documents doesn't indicate evidence of a crime. The committee's probe continues.