Bill Gates says Jeffrey Epstein sought to blackmail him over extramarital affairs

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told US lawmakers that late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appeared to be considering blackmailing him over his extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of Gates’ testimony released by a congressional committee.Gates made the remarks during closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee on June 10 as part of an investigation into his past relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.Gates said Epstein had made what he described as “veiled” threats and appeared to be exploring ways to use personal information about him to maintain influence, even as Gates was distancing himself from the financier.“I was not blackmailed, but you know, as you look at these emails, you know, it looks like Mr. Epstein’s brainstorming was going in that direction,” Gates told lawmakers, referring to documents from the Epstein case released by the US Department of Justice in January.He added, “He never sent me anything that I would call blackmail.”

Gates describes draft emails

Under questioning, Gates said it appeared Epstein was “sort of rehearsing” how he or someone else might attempt to blackmail him, though no such messages were ultimately sent.As per news agency AFP, Gates referenced draft emails that suggested Epstein may have been considering exploiting knowledge of Gates’ personal life.The 70-year-old businessman also reiterated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct when their relationship began and maintained that he had “never victimised anyone.”

Friendship and regret

Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges involving minors.He acknowledged knowing about Epstein’s legal troubles but said he was told the financier could help raise substantial funding for global health initiatives.“I knew that it was of a sexual nature, but, no, I don’t think I knew — dug into the specifics, although I probably should have,” Gates said.The testimony echoes remarks Gates made in a written statement to the House panel earlier this month, where he described his association with Epstein as a “grave error in judgment”.“I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates said in the statement, adding that he regretted any interaction that may have helped bolster Epstein’s reputation.

Congressional scrutiny

The House Oversight Committee is examining Epstein’s network of connections with influential figures in politics, business and philanthropy. Lawmakers questioned Gates about meetings held between 2011 and 2014, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.Gates told the panel he had engaged with Epstein on discussions related to philanthropy and global health funding but later cut ties when those efforts failed to materialise.He also denied any knowledge of ongoing criminal activity and has previously said he never visited Epstein’s private island or interacted with any victims, according to TOI.Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors and died in custody later that year.The release of court and justice department records has led to renewed scrutiny of his connections with prominent public figures, though being named in those documents does not by itself imply wrongdoing.