Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has apologised to employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, describing his decision to spend time with him as a “huge mistake.”
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Gates made the remarks during a town hall meeting with foundation staff on Tuesday, where he addressed renewed scrutiny following the release of additional documents by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein, who died in 2019.
Gates’ connection to Epstein first became public in October 2019. However, further details have emerged through newly disclosed justice department files concerning the late financier’s activities and associations.
Among the documents cited in the report is an email in which Epstein allegedly claimed that Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted infection and sought antibiotics to discreetly administer to Gates’ then-wife, Melinda French Gates. Gates has denied the allegation.
The released materials also outlined the nature of Gates’ interactions with Epstein, including dinners, phone calls and discussions relating to philanthropic initiatives.
During the town hall, Gates reportedly apologised for introducing foundation executives to meetings with Epstein.
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“I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates said, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal
He acknowledged that he met Epstein in 2011 but said he failed to conduct adequate background checks before engaging with him. At the time of their first meeting, Epstein had already pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Gates stated that he continued meeting Epstein intermittently until 2014 and spent time with him abroad. However, he said he “never stayed overnight” at Epstein’s residences and did not visit his private island.
In his remarks, Gates also admitted to having two affairs during his marriage but emphasised that he was not involved in any of Epstein’s criminal activities. He said he met the women through his own social and business circles.
“One of the women was a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and the other a Russian nuclear physicist,” Gates reportedly told staff.
The association with Epstein reportedly continued even after Melinda expressed reservations about the relationship.
Earlier this month, Melinda said the release of additional files had resurfaced “painful times” in her marriage. She added that she was “so happy to be away from all the muck,” referencing the fallout from both Epstein’s crimes and the couple’s eventual divorce.
Gates has previously acknowledged that meeting with Epstein was an error in judgment, but the latest apology marks a direct address to foundation staff amid renewed public attention.
The controversy continues to cast a shadow over the billionaire philanthropist’s legacy, even as he maintains that he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal conduct.