Bill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Contemplated Blackmailing Him Over Extramarital Affairs

Billionaire Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee that he believed Jeffrey Epstein likely weighed blackmailing him over extramarital affairs.

The Microsoft co-founder detailed his suspicions to lawmakers on June 10 as part of an ongoing congressional probe into the late convicted sex offender. A transcript of the closed-door interview was released on Tuesday.

“He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me,” Gates stated to the committee.

Acknowledging Past Convictions

During the interview, Gates informed lawmakers that he was aware of Epstein’s criminal history when the two first met in 2011. He conceded knowing Epstein held a conviction "of a sexual nature."

Epstein previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida, requiring him to register as a sex offender.

Gates admitted to the panel that he "probably should have" investigated the specifics of those charges further.

The tech billionaire maintained that he engaged in several encounters and email exchanges with Epstein. However, he told lawmakers that Epstein never introduced him to young women.

Gates is not accused of any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

Corporate Fallout And Document Release

The congressional testimony follows earlier internal disclosures. In February, Gates admitted to foundation members that he had engaged in two affairs and described his association with Epstein as a "huge mistake."

During a subsequent staff town hall, Gates apologized for the connection following the public release of their emails. “I did nothing illicit. I said nothing illicit,” he told employees at the time.

Following his June 10 committee appearance, Gates released a statement expressing his willingness to answer lawmakers' questions. He publicly endorsed the disclosure of all related documents.

“I support the release of all the files and hope my participation contributes to getting justice for the victims,” Gates said.

Alongside the Gates transcript, the House Oversight Committee released records of a June 9 interview with Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime secretary.

Groff, who worked for Epstein for 18 years, told the congressional panel she never witnessed any illegal activity during her tenure.