Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged making a “huge mistake” in his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff at the Gates Foundation that while he had extramarital affairs, he was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Gates, 70, spoke during a town hall with foundation staff on Tuesday, and a recording of the event was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
He expressed regret that his connection with Epstein had affected his philanthropic work and that he had involved other foundation executives in meetings with Epstein.
“It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein, and to also bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with him,” Gates said. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.”
Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department include a draft email from Epstein alleging Gates had extramarital affairs, claiming Epstein had helped Gates “to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts with married women.”
Gates confirmed having two affairs, both with Russian women—one a bridge player he met at events, and one a nuclear physicist he met through business—but denied any involvement with Epstein’s victims. “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” he said.
He stated that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Gates admitted that he did not fully investigate Epstein’s background, despite knowing about travel restrictions and concerns raised by his then-wife, Melinda, in 2013. He said he continued the association for at least another year.
“Knowing what I know now makes it… a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now it’s clear there was ongoing bad behaviour,” Gates told staff.
The Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Gates’s statements.
