Bill Gates 'took responsibility' for Epstein ties in foundation town hall

Bill Gates told staff at his charitable foundation that he "took responsibility for his actions, " apologising and saying he had affairs with two Russian women while denying any "illicit" behaviour. The exchange came after files released by the US Department of Justice in January renewed scrutiny of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and the Microsoft co-founder, 70, said he "did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit. "

Town hall where bill gates addressed staff

The meeting was a scheduled town hall that Gates holds twice a year, a foundation spokesperson said, and Bill spoke candidly, "addressing several questions in detail. " The spokesman said Gates answered questions submitted by foundation staff on a range of issues, including the release of the Epstein files, the foundation's work in AI, and the future of global health.

He apologised and described affairs with two Russian women

The said it reviewed a recording of the town hall and said Gates apologised to staff, telling employees: "I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made. " The paper said Gates acknowledged two affairs with Russian women that Epstein later learned about and denied any illegal acts.

What Gates said about his meetings with Epstein

Gates told staff he first met Epstein in 2011, years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution, and that he continued to meet Epstein through 2014 and spent time with him abroad. He said he was aware of an "18-month thing" that limited Epstein's travel but conceded he did not properly check Epstein's background. Gates said he "never stayed overnight" or visited Epstein's island and called it a "huge mistake to spend time with Epstein, " while adding he "never spent any time with victims, the women around him. "

Images, the House Oversight release and Epstein's offers

The said images in the so-called Epstein files showing Gates with women — faces redacted in the files — were pictures Epstein asked Gates to take with his assistants after meetings. An image from the Epstein files was released by the US House Oversight Committee in December last year. Gates said Epstein told him he had links with other billionaires and suggested he could help raise money for charitable causes Gates was engaged with.

Foundation context and family remarks

The foundation spokesperson framed the event as a routine town hall in which "Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions. " Gates established his philanthropic organisation alongside his then wife, Melinda French Gates; they divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Melinda French Gates told an NPR podcast earlier this month that the latest release of files had dredged up "painful times in my marriage. "

The town hall and the DOJ file release have heightened scrutiny but the Microsoft co-founder, 70, has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein's victims. The said it had reviewed a recording of Gates's remarks.

Foundation the town hall format is part of their regular staff calendar; the next scheduled town hall is unclear in the provided context.