Bill Gates Apologizes for Epstein Ties, Confirms Past Affair to Foundation Staff
Bill Gates has issued an apology to the staff of the Gates Foundation regarding his past connections with Jeffrey Epstein. This acknowledgment comes amid ongoing scrutiny over Epstein’s criminal activities and Gates’ association with him.
Gates Addresses Foundation Staff
In a recent town hall meeting, Gates described his ties to Epstein as a “huge mistake.” He stated that his association had negatively affected the reputation of the philanthropic organization. Despite this, Gates asserted that he did “nothing illicit” during their interactions.
According to reports, Gates emphasized, “I never spent any time with victims, the women around him.” He mentioned that images showing him with women associated with Epstein were taken at Epstein’s request after meetings.
Meeting History with Epstein
- Gates first encountered Epstein in 2011.
- He met Epstein consistently until 2014.
- Gates acknowledged he didn’t thoroughly investigate Epstein’s background.
- Concerns about Epstein were raised by Gates’ then-wife, Melinda French Gates.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Gates traveled with Epstein on his private jet and met him in various locations, including Germany and New York. However, he clarified that he never stayed overnight at Epstein’s properties.
Revelations of Personal Affairs
During the town hall, Gates also disclosed having had two affairs with Russian women while married. He noted that these relationships were unrelated to Epstein’s victims. One affair was with a Russian bridge player and another with a Russian nuclear physicist.
Impact of Recent Investigations
The controversy surrounding Gates resurfaced following the release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, termed the “Epstein files.” These files contain emails, photographs, and transcripts revealing the interactions between Epstein and prominent individuals, including Gates.
Gates acknowledged that his past ties to Epstein had adversely affected the Gates Foundation, which was established in 2000 and is a major funder of global health initiatives. He reiterated, “Our work is very reputational sensitive. People can choose to work with us or not.” While he denied any involvement in criminal activities, Gates admitted that his association with Epstein inadvertently helped enhance Epstein’s reputation.
