Gates in Epstein hearing: Should not have met

TT

Published 18.05

 

Microsoft founder Bill Gates as he arrived at the US Congress on Wednesday to testify about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP/TT

Microsoft founder Bill Gates testifies on Wednesday before the US congressional committee investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"If the time I spent with Epstein gave him any kind of credibility, I apologize profusely," Gates, who is not a suspect, wrote in his prepared testimony.

Gates is one of the more prominent names to appear in the documents released by the US Justice Department that reveal Epstein's connections with the rich and powerful.

Gates writes that his contacts with Epstein were about possible donations to charitable causes.

He states that they first met in 2011, three years after Epstein admitted to paying for sex with a minor.

“I never witnessed, and never had any knowledge of, Epstein engaging in any ongoing criminal conduct,” Gates writes.