He will testify on June 10 to a US Congressional Committee investigating the scandal, as it became known today from a source close to the case, who confirmed a report by the Politico news outlet.
The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft will testify behind closed doors before the Commission, which plans to question him about his relationship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sex crimes against minors and died in prison before his trial.
The Gates Foundation has not commented at this time. According to a spokesman for Gates, however, he is “rejoicing” at the opportunity to testify. “Although he was never involved in any wrongdoing by Epstein, he looks forward to answering the Commission’s questions in support of its important work,” this spokesman said.
“My relationship with Epstein was a huge mistake”
In late February, Bill Gates said his relationship with Epstein was “a huge mistake,” admitting to members of his foundation that he had extramarital affairs with two Russian women, though he denies any involvement in the businessman’s crimes.
“I didn’t do anything illegal. I didn’t see anything illegal,” he also reportedly said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
According to him, his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after the businessman pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. An Epstein email released by the US Department of Justice refers to Bill Gates’ extramarital affairs. In the message, which does not appear to have ever been sent, Jeffrey Epstein says he helped “Bill” get access to medication to deal with “the consequences of having sex with girls from Russia.”
The mere mention of a name in the “Epstein files” does not mean that person is a priori guilty.
