WASHINGTON — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said Wednesday that meeting Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment,” as he faced hours of questioning from lawmakers over his past ties to the disgraced financier, while firmly denying any wrongdoing or knowledge of criminal activity.
In an opening statement provided to The Associated Press, Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” but insisted he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.”
Gates appeared in a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, becoming the latest high-profile figure linked to Epstein to testify as part of an ongoing congressional investigation into how authorities handled the case and the extent of Epstein’s network.
Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer said Gates was invited after his name appeared multiple times in documents released by the Justice Department related to Epstein’s broader investigation.
Gates arrived at the Capitol stating that his appearance was voluntary and expressing hope that his testimony would help lawmakers “find justice for the victims.” He did not respond to questions from reporters after the session.
Although Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing, lawmakers questioned him extensively about his relationship with Epstein, particularly why he maintained contact after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, said Gates had made a “horrific judgment call” by continuing interactions with Epstein while aware of his conviction. Garcia added that Gates had sought Epstein’s help in accessing wealthy donors for philanthropic purposes.
Lawmakers offered mixed assessments of Gates’ testimony. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett described the questioning as “intense,” while Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said Gates was “combative” and “not terribly forthcoming or candid.” Others said he was generally cooperative but at times defensive.
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Gates acknowledged continuing contact with Epstein because he believed it could help facilitate philanthropic funding.
Documents reviewed by the committee reportedly include emails, calendar entries, and photographs showing meetings between Gates and Epstein. Gates said their relationship began in 2011, after Epstein’s conviction, and ended in 2014 when he concluded Epstein was not delivering on philanthropic promises.
He also emphasized that he never visited Epstein’s private island or other properties and rejected any implication of criminal involvement.
“I have never victimized anyone,” Gates said in his statement. “I was never interested in that and never reciprocated.”
The Gates Foundation has previously said that while some employees met with Epstein to explore potential philanthropic funding, no joint charitable projects were ever created and no payments were made to him.
Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls. He died by suicide in a New York jail while awaiting trial.
The case continues to draw scrutiny of high-profile figures who associated with Epstein, including politicians and business leaders. Lawmakers have also questioned other public figures as part of the ongoing probe.
House Oversight Chairman Comer said the committee is continuing its investigation into how Epstein was able to operate for years without being fully stopped, and indicated that additional witnesses, including legal experts and Justice Department officials, may be called.
