Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday for a closed-door, transcribed interview regarding his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The interview, which will not be videotaped, marks the latest in a series of high-profile appearances before the Republican-led committee as it investigates Epstein's network and the handling of related Justice Department files.
Gates has consistently denied any knowledge of or participation in Epstein's crimes. In a statement released in April, a spokesperson for Gates said he "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee" and is "looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work." The spokesperson reiterated that Gates "never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct."
Gates' name appears numerous times in the Epstein files, which were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act during the tenure of former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The documents include emails and photos showing Gates meeting with Epstein multiple times after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes involving minors.
One email indicates Gates planned to travel on Epstein's private plane in 2013. Another email, apparently sent by Epstein to himself, claims he helped Gates obtain medication for a sexually transmitted infection from "sex with russian girls" and that Gates wanted to secretly give that medication to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.
A spokesperson for Gates has called these claims "absolutely absurd and completely false," stating that the documents only demonstrate "Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame."
Melinda French Gates told NPR in February that the documents filled her with "unbelievable sadness" and reminded her of problems in her marriage. She said any remaining questions are for her ex-husband and others to answer.
Annie Farmer, a survivor of Epstein's abuse who testified publicly about being sexually abused at Epstein's New Mexico ranch when she was 16, told NPR that many people do not realize how long and personal Epstein and Gates' relationship was. She said it is "fair" for Gates to answer questions about that connection and expressed hope that he would offer real information, unlike some previous witnesses who she said "have taken the stance of just wanting to cover for themselves."
The committee has already interviewed former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who defended the Justice Department's work on the Epstein files and blamed current acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for sloppy redactions. On Tuesday, the committee interviewed Epstein's longtime assistant, Lesley Groff, who was involved in scheduling meetings and planning times for girls to meet with Epstein.
Groff has denied any knowledge of or participation in Epstein's crimes.
Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, has said the government has failed survivors and that the committee is taking the investigation seriously. The committee plans to interview several other individuals this summer, including billionaire investor Leon Black, former Clinton aide Doug Band, former Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley.
Representative Robert Garcia of California, the lead Democrat on the committee, has also called for subpoenas for both Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Epstein was arrested a second time in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges and later died in prison. Authorities determined his death was a suicide.