Overview
- Gates voluntarily sat for a transcribed, closed‑door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday and posted his prepared opening remarks denying any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and saying he never visited Epstein’s private properties.
- Justice Department files released earlier this year include calendar entries, photos and a disputed 2013 draft email that mention Gates and form the basis for the committee’s questions.
- Gates told lawmakers his meetings with Epstein ran from about 2011 through December 2014, that they were aimed at philanthropy, that no Gates Foundation payments or formal ties resulted, and that the foundation has launched an external review.
- Gates said Epstein tried to use information about his extramarital affairs to pressure him to re‑engage, and Gates has denied the draft email’s allegations that Epstein described treating an alleged sexually transmitted infection.
- The committee’s investigation is ongoing and chair James Comer has signaled more high‑profile interviews may follow as lawmakers use the DOJ files and witness testimony to probe who knew what and how government records were handled.