Bill Gates set to testify before US Congress in Epstein investigation
Bill Gates Set to Appear Before Congress in Epstein Inquiry
Lawmakers have announced that Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, will appear before the U.S. Congress in June to discuss his past encounters with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This marks the latest prominent figure to contribute to the House Oversight Committee’s probe into Epstein’s alleged crimes.
A representative for Gates told the BBC that the billionaire is eager to provide answers to the committee’s inquiries, aiming to bolster their efforts. The hearing is scheduled for June 10. Although Gates has not faced formal accusations from Epstein’s victims, his presence in the investigative materials does not confirm any criminal behavior.
Documents and Legal Context
Over three million documents were made public by the Justice Department earlier this year, revealing details about Gates’ communications and relationship with Epstein. These disclosures were enabled by a law signed in November by former President Donald Trump, which mandated the release of all materials from Epstein’s investigations. Despite this, numerous additional documents remain unshared.
Public Statements and Apologies
“Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail,” stated the Gates Foundation in a recent release. In a separate interview with 9News in Australia, Gates openly discussed his ties to Epstein, noting that their interactions were confined to dinner meetings and he did not visit the financier’s island. “Every minute I spent with him I regret and I apologize for that,” Gates remarked.
The Wall Street Journal noted that Gates admitted to having two relationships with Russian women, which Epstein later discovered. He claimed, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” regarding his association with the late financier. A Gates spokesperson later clarified to the BBC that the Microsoft co-founder had never attended Epstein’s social gatherings and was not involved in any illegal activities linked to him.
Other High-Profile Witnesses
The House Oversight Committee’s request for Gates’ testimony follows other significant appearances. Former President Bill Clinton and his spouse, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, testified in February. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Attorney General Pam Bondi are also anticipated to provide statements in the coming weeks.
