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Billionaire Bill Gates told lawmakers that Jeffrey Epstein may have sought to blackmail him with information about his extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of his closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee released Tuesday.
“I learned Epstein ha become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage,” the Microsoft co-founder said at the June 10 interview.
“Esptein was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to reengage with him,” he continued. “He was unsuccessful in this effort.”
Gates told lawmakers that emails reviewed by investigators suggest Epstein may have been preparing to use the information as leverage against him to “further his agenda.”
“He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me,” the Microsoft co-founder told members of Congress at the June 10 interview.
His testimony on Capitol Hill about his three-year relationship with the late convicted sex offender, which Gates maintained was strictly professional, was part of the committee’s broader probe into Epstein.
Gates admitted the affair to staffers at the Gates Foundation in February, apologizing for engaging in two extramarital affairs with Russian women — which he asserted were not Epstein victims — after emails between the two were revealed.
His wife at the time, Melinda Gates, reportedly met with divorce lawyers in 2019 after reports revealed the link between Epstein and her husband. Their divorce was finalized in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
Gates said he first became acquainted with Epstein in 2011 through an adviser, three years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty in a Florida court to charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution.
At the time, Gates said he believed Epstein could help secure wealthy individuals interested in philanthropy and supporting global health initiatives.
Gates said those promises ultimately led nowhere, and ended contact with him in December 2014. The billionaire denied having knowledge of the extent of Epstein’s criminal behavior, but was aware of his prior legal issues.
In a statement following his testimony, Gates said he “appreciated the opportunity to meet with the House Oversight Committee today and to answer all of their questions,” and that he supported “the release of all the files and hope my participation contributes to getting justice for the victims.”
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