Accelerating the Decline of the Burden and Incidence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Afric Bill Gates told a congressional committee that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to blackmail him using information about extramarital affairs after their relationship ended. Gates said he met Epstein to seek funding for global health projects but cut ties in 2014 and denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal activities or alleged misconduct.
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Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has claimed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to blackmail him over extramarital affairs with two Russian women, according to newly released congressional testimony.
Gates appeared before the US House Oversight Committee on June 10 as part of an investigation into Epstein's activities and his ties to prominent figures. A transcript of the closed-door testimony was released on Tuesday.
According to the transcript, Gates said he established contact with Epstein in 2011 despite being aware of his previous conviction for sex offences. He said he hoped Epstein could introduce him to wealthy donors who might support the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's global health initiatives.
Gates testified that he ended contact with Epstein in 2014 after those efforts failed to produce results.
He told lawmakers that Epstein later obtained what he described as sensitive information about his personal life and attempted to use it to pressure him into renewing their relationship.
"Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to re-engage with him," Gates said in his testimony. "He was unsuccessful in this effort."
Gates acknowledged having affairs with two adult Russian women but denied they had any connection to Epstein's criminal activities. He also rejected allegations contained in documents released as part of the investigation relating to drug use, a sexually transmitted infection and claims that Epstein arranged sexual encounters for him.
Gates further testified that he never visited Epstein's private island, ranch or Florida residence.
His association with Epstein has drawn scrutiny for several years because the two discussed global health initiatives despite Epstein having no known expertise in the field. Gates has maintained that the meetings were intended to secure philanthropic funding and resulted in no charitable contributions.
He has repeatedly said that meeting Epstein was a mistake and has apologised for the association.
The broader congressional investigation has renewed questions about how Epstein maintained relationships with influential business leaders, politicians and other high-profile figures after his 2008 conviction.
According to the report, others who have testified include former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and businessman Les Wexner.
RT News