Bill Gates Testifies Before US House on Epstein
Bill Gates spoke to US lawmakers on Wednesday about Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing was closed to the public.
It was part of a Justice Department probe into Epstein. Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and a major donor to global health causes.
He told lawmakers he never saw any sign that Epstein was committing crimes. Gates said meeting Epstein was a serious mistake.
He first met Epstein in 2011 while looking for donors for health work. Gates said Epstein tried to use his personal affairs against him.
Epstein also wanted a closer personal relationship. But Gates said he never went along with this. Gates also told lawmakers: "I have never victimized anyone."
Klear Note — Jeffrey Epstein was a financier convicted of sex crimes. He died in jail in 2019. The Justice Department continues investigating his connections.
Key Terms 4
- closed-door hearing A private meeting with lawmakers not open to the public
- Justice Department probe A US government investigation into possible crimes
- Jeffrey Epstein US financier convicted of sex crimes against minors
- extramarital affairs Romantic relationships outside of a marriage