Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, testified that he never directly interacted with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein but acknowledged he may have been in their presence, according to a transcript of his closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee released Tuesday.
Gates' testimony on Epstein relationship
In the voluntary interview on Capitol Hill earlier this month, Gates maintained that his three-year relationship with Epstein was strictly professional and that he never witnessed or participated in any sexual misconduct. However, a lawmaker pointed out that the panel's investigation has shown that some of Epstein's employees were also abused, making it difficult for Gates to rule out being around any victims. Gates acknowledged seeing some of Epstein's female employees at the end of a meeting on one of Epstein's planes, adding that he may have been in the presence of victims.
Context of the investigation
The oversight committee sought Gates' testimony after the Justice Department released additional Epstein files this year, raising questions about his ties to the late financier. The panel also released the transcript of Epstein's longtime assistant, Lesley Groff, who characterized her former boss as a master manipulator and said she did not know about his crimes. Groff revealed she connected Epstein and Donald Trump on the phone multiple times over ten years but did not know the content of those conversations. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Epstein's attempts to pressure Gates
Gates detailed how Epstein tried to use information about his personal life—including infidelity in his marriage—to pressure him. After Gates cut ties in 2014, Epstein emailed asking for reimbursement for expenses related to a woman Gates had an affair with. Gates testified he communicated to his top person at Gates Ventures, Larry Cohen, that they would never pay. Gates was introduced to Epstein in 2011 through employee Dr. Boris Nikolic, whom Gates believes told Epstein about two of his extramarital affairs.
Allegations against Gates
Investigators pressed Gates about other potential affairs, arguing it was relevant to determine ties to Epstein. Gates and his legal team pushed back, pointing to draft emails Epstein wrote to himself in 2013 containing graphic, unverified allegations against Gates. Gates stated those allegations are false. In the notes, Epstein claimed to have facilitated sexual encounters for Gates and helped him obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection from his wife. Gates denied ever having an STD but noted it was possible he told Nikolic he was worried he might have one.
Gates' regret and cooperation
Upon meeting Epstein in 2011, Gates was aware of Epstein's criminal conviction but pursued a professional relationship because Epstein claimed he could raise billions for global health. Gates said he wishes he had not ignored Epstein's bad reputation in pursuit of a philanthropic opportunity that never materialized. He expressed regret for not factoring that in more. Gates also said he finds it confusing how Epstein accumulated his wealth and noted Epstein's New York City apartment was one of the most spacious he had seen. Gates voluntarily cooperated with the attorney general of the US Virgin Islands by sitting for an interview and providing financial documents.
Lesley Groff's testimony
Groff, a key member of Epstein's inner circle, spoke to Congress as part of its Epstein investigation. She helped manage every aspect of Epstein's life, from scheduling massages to appointments with women to meetings with powerful individuals. Her denial of knowledge about Epstein's wrongdoing was met with condemnation from survivors. Groff said she believed everyone she scheduled for a massage was a massage therapist, an independent contractor. She stopped regularly booking massage appointments in 2008 when Epstein served about a year in jail in Florida. Lawmakers pointed to appointments after 2008 that Groff booked for Epstein. In defense, Groff said she would not have known it was a massage.
