Bill Gates Addresses Epstein Ties, Admits Affairs But Denies Misconduct

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Bill Gates, co-founder of tech giant Microsoft and currently ranked among the world’s wealthiest individuals, told employees this week that he had extramarital affairs during his marriage but denied any involvement in or knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking, according to remarks reviewed by U.S. media outlets.

Speaking at a town hall meeting Tuesday for staff of the Gates Foundation, Gates acknowledged meeting the late financier several times between 2011 and 2014.

However, he stressed that he never stayed overnight at Epstein’s residences, never visited his private island, and never spent time with any of the financier’s alleged victims.

“I never stayed overnight. I never went to the island. I never met any women. And I never saw or did anything illicit,” Gates told employees, according to accounts of the meeting.

ADMISSION OF AFFAIRS

Gates admitted he had affairs while married to Melinda French Gates, including relationships with a Russian bridge player and a Russian nuclear physicist. He said Epstein later became aware of those relationships.

The admission aligns with prior reports that Epstein sought to leverage personal information about prominent individuals.

However, no public documents allege that Gates participated in or had knowledge of Epstein’s alleged abuse of minors.

Gates has repeatedly described his meetings with Epstein as related to philanthropy and fundraising discussions.

2008 CONVICTION AND CONTROVERSY

Epstein, a financier with connections to political, academic, and business elites, was first convicted in 2008 after pleading guilty in Florida state court to soliciting prostitution from a minor and procuring a minor for prostitution.

The charges stemmed from allegations that he paid underage girls for sexual acts at his Palm Beach residence.

The case drew widespread criticism because of a controversial plea agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges and serve 13 months in a county jail with work-release privileges. The deal, negotiated by federal prosecutors, later became the subject of intense public scrutiny.

Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges but died in federal custody in New York before trial. His death was ruled a suicide.

DOJ FILES AND FOUNDATION RESPONSE

Gates’ name has appeared in documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of broader disclosures connected to Epstein’s case.

The files include communications in which Epstein made allegations about Gates’ personal conduct, which the Gates Foundation has described as “absolutely absurd and completely false.”

In a previous public comment, Gates acknowledged meeting Epstein for dinners but called the relationship a mistake.

“The more that comes out, the more clear it’ll be that although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior,” Gates said last month.

BROADER EPSTEIN FALLOUT

Emails cited in media reports show Gates and Epstein first met in January 2011 at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse after being introduced by two foundation officials. Correspondence suggests they met periodically through 2014 to discuss potential charitable initiatives, including a proposed fund involving major financial institutions and donors. Those plans did not materialize.

The renewed scrutiny comes as other high-profile figures have faced consequences over past ties to Epstein.

Former Harvard University President and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is expected to step down from teaching at Harvard at the end of the academic year amid controversy over his association with Epstein. Nobel laureate and Columbia University professor Dr. Richard Axel has also stepped down from a leadership role following scrutiny of his connections.

Democratic lawmakers have indicated they will investigate reports that the Department of Justice may have withheld certain documents related to Epstein, including materials concerning allegations involving other public figures.

Gates has continued to deny any misconduct and maintains that his interactions with Epstein were limited to discussions related to charitable initiatives.

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