Bill Gates faces Congressional questioning over Jeffrey Epstein ties

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to face questioning from US lawmakers over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as investigators continue examining the late financier's network of influential contacts.

According to an AFP report, Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday for a transcribed interview.

The questioning comes after recently released Justice Department documents renewed attention on his interactions with Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.

The billionaire philanthropist is among several prominent figures who have been called to testify as lawmakers review the government's handling of the Epstein case and the information contained in official records.

More from World

Committee examining Epstein connections

The House Oversight Committee has been conducting a broad investigation into Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted for helping recruit and abuse underage girls.

Lawmakers are seeking to understand the extent of Epstein's connections with powerful political, business and social figures.

According to the report, Democrats on the committee intend to ask Gates what he knew about Epstein's activities and the nature of their relationship. Unlike some previous interviews conducted by the committee, Gates' appearance will not be videotaped.

Several high-profile individuals, including former US President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have also appeared before the committee.

Gates denies knowledge of criminal conduct

According to the report, a spokesperson for Gates said that he welcomed the opportunity to cooperate with lawmakers and maintained that he never witnessed or participated in any illegal activities involving Epstein.

The renewed scrutiny follows the release of documents that included a draft email from 2013 in which Epstein appeared to suggest he had assisted Gates with personal matters related to alleged extramarital affairs. Gates has rejected the document as fake and denied the allegations linked to it.

Earlier this year, Gates acknowledged that maintaining a relationship with Epstein had been a mistake. In an interview with Australian television, he described the association as "foolish" and expressed regret for spending time with the financier.

"Every minute I spent with him, I regret," Gates said, adding that he only met Epstein at dinners and never visited his private island or interacted with women connected to him.

Questions persist despite denials

Gates has stated that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, several years after Epstein had already pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

The report also indicated that Melinda French Gates, who divorced Gates in 2021, had raised concerns about Epstein as early as 2013. However, Gates reportedly continued interacting with Epstein for some time afterward.

While appearing in Epstein-related documents does not imply wrongdoing, investigators continue to examine the connections of several influential figures as part of the wider congressional review of the case.