Gates Tells Congress He Was Blackmailed by Epstein, Denies Knowledge of Crimes
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday for a closed-door interview about his past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. He said Epstein learned of his marital infidelities and tried to use that information as leverage.
nypost.comMicrosoft co-founder Bill Gates arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Gates told reporters before entering the hearing room that he came voluntarily and hoped his testimony would help the panel find justice for victims.
In a prepared statement he said he never witnessed Epstein engaged in ongoing criminal conduct and never visited the financier's island, ranch or Florida home.
Details from the interview Gates disclosed that Epstein learned of his marital infidelities and tried to use that information, along with additional lies, to pressure him to re-engage. He said the effort was unsuccessful. Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011 after being promised billions of dollars for global health work.
After five in-person meetings the discussions reached a dead-end and he cut off contact in December 2014. Emails released by the Justice Department show Epstein claiming Gates had asked for help dealing with the consequences of sex with Russian girls.
A representative for Gates called those implications absurd and completely false.
Committee members' statements House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said the panel wants to learn what Gates saw and whether he knew what was happening. He added that no one is accusing Gates of wrongdoing. Rep. Robert Garcia said lawmakers will ask about emails in the files that relate to Gates' possible activities with Epstein.
Gates also told the committee he had been accused of more than 20 extramarital liaisons during divorce proceedings. He said he came clean to staff about at least two affairs with Russian women referenced in the investigative files. >"I’m glad to be here voluntarily.
" — Bill Gates, Wednesday (NY Post) The committee has conducted 15 interviews so far in its bipartisan inquiry. Comer said the panel next plans to seek an interview with Epstein's former criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz.
