Bill Gates takes to Capitol Hill in Epstein case as his businesses hear fallout – GeekWire
Bill Gates voluntarily appeared behind closed doors before House Oversight Committee investigators on Wednesday to answer questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, part of a major shift in his image that has been rocking the Seattle-area institutions he built and financed.
In a statement before his testimony, the Microsoft founder gave his most detailed information about the situation, saying that he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 with the promise of raising billions in global health and cutting ties with him in late 2014.
“If the time I spent with Epstein gave him credibility, I’m very sorry,” he said. “I learned an important lesson and now I am more careful about who I deal with even in limited situations.”
Gates also spoke about the marital infidelity that emerged in the files, saying Epstein learned about it and tried to use it as a way to get him back, without success. Gates admitted to two affairs with Russian women at a Gates Foundation town hall in February, the Wall Street Journal previously reported.
A spokesman for Gates said in an email that he “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee.” Although he has never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he looks forward to answering all of the committee’s questions in support of their important work.”
The Gates Foundation, which he chairs, said it commissioned an external review earlier this year to examine its past work with Epstein and its evaluation of new partners. CEO Mark Suzman told staff at a February town hall that he felt “somewhat tainted” by the organization and that it made the foundation’s work more difficult, according to the Journal.
The foundation said it “regrets that any staff engaged in any way with him.”
TerraPower, the Bellevue-based nuclear power company Gates founded and chairs, held a hands-on meeting where employees raised questions about Epstein’s relationship with both Gates and Nathan Myhrvold, a former Microsoft chief technology officer, who founded TerraPower and serves as vice chairman.
The Journal also reported that Breakthrough Energy, his climate-investment firm, has struggled to find new funding, with some investors citing Epstein connections.
Gates did not participate in Microsoft’s CEO conference this year, and the dinner he usually hosts at his home for the event did not take place. “Even though it didn’t work out this year, we have already extended an invitation for Bill to attend the CEO Summit next year,” a Microsoft spokesperson told the Journal.
On Capitol Hill today, Gates appeared in a written interview in lieu of public testimony, and the transcript is expected to be released in the coming days. He has never been charged with a crime or accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims.
