Microsoft co-founder Invoice Gates started being questioned on Wednesday morning by a Home committee behind closed doorways about his controversial friendship with the infamous intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I ought to by no means have met with Epstein within the first place,” Gates informed the committee in his opening assertion, in accordance with a replica of it that he posted on-line.
“Primarily based on what I do know now, I perceive that even when he had delivered the brand new donors he promised” to the Gates Basis, “it could not have justified associating with him,” Gates mentioned.
“I hope my testimony is useful to the vital work of the committee to search out justice for the victims,” Gates mentioned in a quick assertion after he arrived about an hour earlier than his interview by the Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee.
A spokesperson for Gates, in an announcement emailed to CNBC, mentioned, “Gates welcomes the chance to look earlier than the Committee. Whereas he by no means witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s unlawful conduct, he’s wanting ahead to answering all of the committee’s inquiries to help their vital work.”
The mega-billionaire is without doubt one of the largest names to undergo a grilling by the committee, which for months has investigated Epstein’s community of high-profile pals.
Gates’ testimony comes a day after the committee questioned Epstein’s former longtime government assistant, Lesley Groff.
A transcript of his testimony is anticipated to be launched within the subsequent a number of days.
Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the committee, informed reporters Tuesday that “something’s on the desk” when it comes to questions for Gates. “He looks like he is — in accordance with his attorneys — I would not say wanting to testify, however he is prepared to testify, and he hasn’t fought it. And I recognize that.”
Gates turned pals with Epstein in 2011, the Wall Road Journal has reported.
Microsoft co-founder Invoice Gates arrives for a closed-door interview with the Home Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 10, 2026.
Kent Nishimura | Afp | Getty Photographs
That was three years after Epstein pleaded responsible in Florida state court docket to soliciting an underage lady for prostitution. Epstein served 13 months in jail in that case.
He died from a jailhouse suicide in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on federal baby intercourse trafficking costs.
The friendship between Gates and Epstein obtained renewed consideration in late 2025 with the discharge of paperwork about Epstein and his associates by the Division of Justice and Congress.
Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing in reference to Epstein.
CNBC has requested remark from the Gates Basis, the philanthropic group based by Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda Gates, about his testimony.
The New York Instances reported Tuesday that Gates was getting ready for his testimony with the assistance of Jake Greenberg, who till December was the oversight committee’s chief investigations counsel.
CNBC has requested remark from Greenberg.
In February, Gates apologized to workers at a Gates Basis city corridor for his affiliation with Epstein, and admitted he had affairs with two Russian ladies, in accordance with The Wall Road Journal, which famous that Epstein had turn into conscious of the affairs.
“I did nothing illicit. I noticed nothing illicit,” Gates mentioned throughout that mea culpa session, in accordance with the Journal.
However Gates additionally reportedly mentioned on the occasion that “it was an enormous mistake to spend time with Epstein” and produce basis executives into conferences with Epstein.
“I apologize to different people who find themselves drawn into this due to the error that I made,” Gates reportedly mentioned.
The Gates Basis beforehand introduced it had commissioned an exterior overview of the philanthropy’s previous ties with Epstein. The muse mentioned it anticipated that its board and administration would obtain an replace concerning the overview this summer time.
Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett, a longtime buddy of Gates, informed CNBC’s Becky Fast in late March that he had not spoken to the Microsoft co-founder “since the entire thing” with the Epstein recordsdata “was unveiled.”
“I do not wish to be ready the place I do know issues … to be known as as a witness,” Buffett mentioned. “I feel till it will get cleared up, it would not make sense to do a number of speaking.”
Buffett known as Epstein a con man who exploited the weaknesses of different individuals.
“Males are going to love intercourse … and a few of them are going to love not paying taxes, and he found out their weaknesses,” Buffett mentioned.
Buffett has donated greater than $43 billion to the Gates Basis since 2006.
— Karen James Sloan contributed to this report.
