Bill Gates Denies “Illicit” Conduct With Epstein After DOJ Files Surface Redacted Photos
Bill Gates is facing renewed scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein, and he’s now addressing it directly with employees at the Gates Foundation as new Epstein-related documents circulate.
The pressure has grown after recently released Justice Department “Epstein files” revived questions about why Gates continued meeting Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, and what—if anything—came out of those contacts.
In a Feb. 24 town hall, Gates apologized to staff and said his association with Epstein was a “huge mistake,” according to reporting cited by Reuters.
He also acknowledged personal misconduct, including affairs during his marriage, with reports specifying two affairs with Russian women.
Related: NPR Exposes 53 Missing Epstein Pages After Trump Named in Underage Assault Allegation
At the same time, the town hall comments were framed as a denial of criminal involvement, as outlets tied his remarks to the new document release and questions about what Gates knew—or should have known—while meeting Epstein.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates told staff, according to People’s summary of the town hall.
A Gates Foundation spokesperson told Reuters that Epstein was never employed by the foundation and did not receive payments from it, as the organization tries to contain reputational damage around its global health and philanthropy work.
For now, the key unresolved issue is whether additional documents, testimony, or investigative findings will further clarify the extent and purpose of Gates’ meetings with Epstein—and why the contact continued for years after Epstein’s conviction.
The next developments are likely to hinge on what else emerges from document releases and follow-up reporting about the meetings and who attended them.
Related: Epstein Survivors Call Prince Andrew’s Arrest “Profound” and Slam U.S. Justice Failure