Bill Gates has revealed that Jeffrey Epstein obtained knowledge of his extramarital affairs and subsequently attempted to weaponise this information against him when the pair cut ties.
The Microsoft co-founder delivered testimony before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door session on Capitol Hill, Washington, this afternoon.
"I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage," Mr Gates said in his prepared remarks.
The tech billionaire explained these infidelities were unconnected to his dealings with Epstein, but had caused his family "considerable pain".
According to Mr Gates, the convicted sex offender had deployed this personal information, "in addition to many lies that he layered on top", as leverage after he severed ties in 2014.
The pressure campaign proved unsuccessful, he told the committee, firmly rejecting any suggestion of wrongdoing during his testimony.
"At the outset, I want to state very clearly – I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct."
The billionaire philanthropist was emphatic about the boundaries of his contact with Epstein, telling lawmakers he had never set foot on the financier's private island, his ranch, or his residence in Florida.
"I have never victimised anyone," Mr Gates added, dismissing any notion that Epstein had been a genuine friend, stating: "I was never interested in that and never reciprocated."
The relationship between Gates and Epstein began in 2011, when the financier approached the billionaire with promises of securing substantial donations for global public health initiatives.
By that point, Epstein had already pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008 and was a registered sex offender.
"I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed," Mr Gates said to the committee.
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"I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have", he said, "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place".
The Gates Foundation has confirmed that no partnership materialised, no fund was established, and Epstein received no payments.
Among explosive Epstein files released earlier this year was a draft email the paedophile apparently composed to himself, written as though from the perspective of Mr Gates' former science adviser, Dr Boris Nikolic.
The message contained allegations that Mr Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted disease from "Russian girls" and sought to covertly administer antibiotics to his then-wife, Melinda.
Mr Gates has categorically denied these claims, with a spokesman describing the allegations as "absolutely absurd and completely false".
The spokesman added that the documents merely demonstrated Epstein's frustration at failing to maintain an ongoing relationship with Mr Gates and illustrated "the lengths he would go to entrap and defame".
The Epstein connection has cast a long shadow over Mr Gates' personal life, contributing to painful moments in his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates, whom he divorced in 2021.
Speaking on NPR's Wild Card podcast in February, Melinda described the situation as "beyond heartbreaking".
"I remember being those ages those girls were, I remember my daughters being those ages. So, for me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage", she said.
The mother of Mr Gates' three children told CBS: "I am so happy to be away from all the muck."
The Gates Foundation has since initiated an external review of its historical dealings with Epstein and his associates
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