Billionaire Bill Gates is scheduled to testify on June 10 before a United States congressional committee that is examining the network surrounding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, a person familiar with the matter told AFP on Tuesday.
The Microsoft co‑founder’s name appears in newly released U.S. Justice Department records that have uncovered previously undisclosed connections, financial arrangements, and private photographs tied to Epstein’s circle of associates.
According to the source, Gates will give what is being termed a “transcribed interview” behind closed doors, a setting similar to the one used when former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state and senator Hillary Clinton testified to the same committee.
A spokesperson for Gates confirmed to AFP that the billionaire “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee.”
The spokesperson stressed that, “While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work.”
Gates has publicly acknowledged that his connections with Epstein were a serious lapse in judgment. In remarks to staff at his charitable foundation earlier this year, he said he had made a “huge mistake” in associating with Epstein.
While Gates admitted to extramarital relationships, he has firmly denied any involvement in crimes linked to Epstein.
In one draft email among the Justice Department’s released documents, Epstein himself suggested inappropriate conduct, alleging that his relationship with Gates included “helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.”
Gates, now 70, has publicly addressed aspects of his personal life, telling employees and associates that he “did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities.”
But on allegations connected to Epstein’s criminal acts, he has been unequivocal. “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” he said during a town hall meeting, insisting that he was not involved with any of Epstein’s victims..
Gates has explained that his initial interaction with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution.
Gates said he was aware that Epstein was subject to an “18‑month” travel restriction but admitted he did not sufficiently investigate Epstein’s background.
He also acknowledged that his then‑wife, Melinda, raised concerns about Epstein as early as 2013, but that he nevertheless maintained contact for at least another year.
