Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a response to the reason he appeared in sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s files as released by the United States (U.S) Department of Justice.
In a candid town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, the billionaire philanthropist admitted to past personal mistakes while maintaining that he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
The renewed scrutiny comes after millions of pages were unsealed earlier this month, providing fresh details about the extent of their interactions between 2011 and 2014.
These files include unverified emails and photographs that have reignited a media firestorm.
Gates told his staff that his association with Epstein was a “huge mistake” and expressed deep regret for the shadow it has cast over the foundation’s global health mission.
“Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail,” the Gates Foundation said in a statement.
It was also reported that Gates apologised to staff, said he had two affairs with Russian women which Epstein later found out about, and in relation to the late financier said: “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”
Gates said it was a “huge mistake to spend time with Epstein”, but insisted he “never spent any time with victims, the women around him”.
“I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” he told staff.
Speaking further on why he appeared on Epstein’s files Gates said images of him with women, whose faces are redacted, were pictures that the late financier asked him to take with his assistants after their meetings.
Gates told the foundation’s staff he met Epstein in 2011 -adding that he said he was aware of some “18-month thing” that had limited Epstein’s travel, but that he didn’t properly check his background, according to the report.
He continued to meet Epstein through 2014, and spent time with him abroad, he reportedly said, adding that he “never stayed overnight” or visited Epstein’s island.
The relationship continued even after his ex-wife expressed doubts, he is reported to have said, adding: “To give her credit, she was always kind of sceptical about the Epstein thing.”
Epstein told him he had links with other billionaires and suggested he could help raise money for charitable causes Gates was engaged with, the paper reported.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation said in a statement: “This was a scheduled town hall with employees, which Bill does twice a year.
“In the conversation, Bill answered questions submitted by foundation staff on a range of issues, including the release of the Epstein files, the foundation’s work in AI, and the future of global health.
“In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions.”
