Bill Gates expressed his regret for spending time with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted financier and sex offender. In an interview aired on the Australian channel 9News, Gates stated: “I regret every minute spent with him, and I apologize,” reports Euronews.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice released nearly three million pages of documents related to Epstein, including drafts of emails containing accusations against Gates. “This letter, written by him to himself, was never sent and is false,” Gates said, adding that he does not understand why Epstein would write such things.
In one of his drafts dated 2013, Epstein claimed that Gates had extramarital affairs and described how Gates allegedly asked him to delete emails regarding his venereal disease and requests for antibiotics for his wife Melinda.
A representative for Gates commented on these documents, noting that they only confirm “Epstein's disappointment over the lack of close relations with Gates and his attempts to tarnish his name.” Melinda French Gates, for her part, told NPR that these documents reminded her of “very painful moments” in their marriage, which ended in divorce in 2021. She emphasized that all questions should be directed primarily to her ex-husband and those involved in this situation.
Gates first met Epstein in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to charges related to minors. He claims that he met with him for dinners for three years but never visited his private island and denies any sexual contact.
“It all came down to Epstein knowing many wealthy people and claiming he could help raise money for global health. Looking back, I realize that it was a misguided decision,” Gates added, expressing regret over his ties to Epstein. “I was one of many who regret meeting him.”
Epstein is known to have committed suicide in 2019 in a New York jail while under investigation for charges of sex trafficking. It should be noted that the mention of famous individuals in the documents does not indicate any wrongdoing, and none of them have been charged in connection with Epstein's actions.
