Bill Gates Admits Error In Ties With Jeffrey Epstein, Confirms Two Affairs
Bill Gates has acknowledged making a serious error in his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff at the Gates Foundation that he had affairs with two Russian women but was not involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. In a town hall on Tuesday, a recording of which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Gates expressed regret that his connection with Epstein had affected his philanthropic work. “It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein, and to also bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with him,” he said. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.” Documents released by the US Justice Department include a draft email from Epstein alleging Gates had extramarital affairs, claiming their interactions involved “helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts with married women.” Gates, 70, confirmed two affairs during the town hall. “I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist whom I met through business activities,” he said, while denying any involvement with Epstein’s victims: “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.” Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He acknowledged knowing of restrictions on Epstein’s travel but admitted he did not thoroughly check his background. He added that his then-wife, Melinda, raised concerns about Epstein in 2013, yet he continued the relationship 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 has not yet commented on Gates’s statements.
