WASHINGTON — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday to face tough questions behind closed doors about his relationship with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“I’m glad to be here voluntarily,” Gates told reporters in a brief statement before entering a House hearing room. “I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.”
Emails and photos released by the Justice Department — in addition to remarks by Gates’ ex-wife, Melinda, about Epstein having contributed to the dissolution of the couple’s 27-year marriage — have complicated the image the billionaire sought to cultivate as a philanthropist.
Now, lawmakers and staff on the House Oversight Committee are expected to press further into the unlikely friendship as part of more than a dozen interviews conducted in the bipartisan inquiry into the notorious case.
“In retrospect, I was foolish to spend any time with him,” the 68-year-old tech titan told the Wall Street Journal in January about his association with Epstein, which occurred after the financier pleaded guilty to Florida prostitution and child sex-trafficking charges. “I think I was quite stupid. I thought it would help me with global health philanthropy. In fact, it failed to do that. It was just a huge mistake.”
A lawyer for Gates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
