Microsoft founder Bill Gates has publicly apologized for his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports from Swedish media citing the Wall Street Journal. Gates reportedly made the apology during a meeting with employees at his Gates Foundation on Tuesday.
Gates described spending time with Epstein as 'a huge mistake' but denied participating in or witnessing any of Epstein's criminal activities. 'To be clear, I never spent any time with (Epstein's) victims, the women around him,' Gates stated, according to the reports.
To be clear, I never spent any time with (Epstein's) victims, the women around him
The billionaire acknowledged that he met Epstein in 2011, several years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor. The two reportedly traveled together to Germany and France on Epstein's private jet but had not met since 2014.
During the meeting, Gates also admitted to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women while married to his ex-wife Melinda Gates. He stated, 'I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal,' while addressing concerns about how his relationship with Epstein has affected the Gates Foundation's reputation.
I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal
According to the reports, Gates claimed Epstein had promised to help him raise money for philanthropic purposes and that Epstein's relationships with other prominent people 'normalized the situation.' The billionaire also addressed allegations that Epstein attempted to blackmail him over the affairs with Russian women, which were reportedly revealed in 2023.