Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates voluntarily appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday to testify about his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing was held behind closed doors.

In his opening statement, Gates claimed he never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. He denied ever visiting Epstein's island, ranch, or Florida home, and stated he never victimized anyone.

Despite this, Gates acknowledged he should never have met with Epstein. "Based on what I know now, I understand that even if he had delivered the new donors he promised, it would not have justified associating with him," his statement read.

Gates first met Epstein in 2011, three years after Epstein was jailed for procuring a minor for prostitution. The meetings continued until December 2014, when Gates ended contact. He said Epstein claimed he could raise billions for global health through his tax and estate services.

Gates also revealed that Epstein had obtained sensitive information about his personal life, including extramarital affairs, and allegedly used it to pressure him. "Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities — in addition to many lies that he layered on top — to pressure me to re-engage with him," Gates said.

Committee Chair Republican Rep. James Comer emphasized that Gates' testimony was voluntary and did not imply wrongdoing. "This is about the survivors," Comer said. "This is about trying to figure out how the government failed."

Other notable figures, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have also testified before the committee as part of its investigation into Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

Source: www.dw.com