Bill Gates told members of Congress that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to use knowledge of his extramarital affairs to pressure him into resuming contact, offering the clearest public account yet of how the disgraced financier allegedly sought to maintain influence over one of the world's most prominent businessmen.
Appearing before the House Oversight Committee, the Microsoft co-founder described his association with Epstein as a serious lapse in judgment and said the financier tried to exploit sensitive details about his private life after their relationship deteriorated.
"I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage," Gates said in prepared testimony. "These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family."
According to Gates, the information became part of a broader effort by Epstein to regain access to him after their contacts had ended.
"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 told lawmakers. He added that Epstein relied on the affairs "in addition to many lies that he layered on top."
The testimony came as Congress continues examining material released from Justice Department files connected to Epstein, whose network of wealthy and influential associates remains a source of public fascination years after his death.
Throughout the hearing, Gates repeatedly sought to distance himself from Epstein and emphasized that he never witnessed criminal conduct during their interactions.
"At the outset, I want to state very clearly: I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct," Gates said.
He also rejected allegations that have circulated in documents and online discussions surrounding the Epstein case.
"I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone," Gates told lawmakers.
Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011, several years after the financier pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor and became a registered sex offender. According to Gates, Epstein presented himself as someone capable of helping secure substantial funding for global health projects supported by the Gates Foundation.
"I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed," Gates said. "I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have."
He maintained that the relationship remained limited and ended by 2014. Gates told lawmakers that no business partnership emerged from the discussions and that no Gates Foundation money was directed to Epstein.
The hearing follows renewed scrutiny generated by millions of pages of Justice Department records released earlier this year. Among the documents were emails and notes referencing Gates, including draft messages allegedly written by Epstein that contained a series of personal and unverified claims.
One such draft email included allegations involving Gates' personal life and health. Gates has strongly denied the accusations.
Responding to the documents earlier this year, a spokesperson for Gates said: "These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false."
The spokesperson added: "The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame."
The controversy has also revived attention on Gates' marriage to Melinda French Gates, which ended in divorce in 2021 after 27 years. In recent interviews, Melinda has spoken publicly about the emotional toll associated with revelations surrounding Epstein.
"It's beyond heartbreaking," she said during an appearance on NPR's Wild Card podcast. "I remember being those ages those girls were, I remember my daughters being those ages."
She later added: "So, for me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage."
Speaking separately to CBS, Melinda reflected on moving beyond that period of her life, saying: "I am so happy to be away from all the muck."
