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Bill Gates set to answer questions on Epstein

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By Ava Berger Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The committee is continuing to hold closed-door interviews as part of an investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Tom Brenner/Getty Images hide caption Bill Gates appeared before members of Congress on Wednesday and said he never witnessed or knew about any of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Gates was on Capitol Hill to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein, as the House Oversight Committee continues its investigation into the late sex offender.
+ He took part in a closed-door transcribed interview.
− Gates is taking part in a closed-door transcribed interview.
+ "I'm glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee's work," Gates told reporters before the interview.
− He arrived at the Capitol around 8:45 a.m. and was flanked by police officers, security and lawyers.
+ "I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.
− "I'm glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee's work," Gates told reporters.
+ In the text of his prepared opening statement, Gates described how he first met Epstein in 2011 through people in his "professional and philanthropic work" on global health.
− "I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims." In the text of his prepared opening statement, Gates described how he first met Epstein in 2011 through people in his "professional and philanthropic work" on global health.
He continued to have conversations with Epstein through 2014 about potential donors, according to the statement.
− Gates said he was aware "that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed." Law Bondi doubles down on her handling of Epstein files in testimony to Congress "I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have," Gates said.
+ Gates said he was aware "that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed." "I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have," Gates said.
− He added that he "made it clear to Epstein from the outset that he would never play a role in any of the work or receive any compensation." Gates said he realized in 2014 that Epstein "would never deliver on his promises" and stopped communicating or meeting with him.
+ He added that he "made it clear to Epstein from the outset that he would never play a role in any of the work or receive any compensation." Gates also admitted to extramarital affairs in the statement and said Epstein used that information to "pressure me to re-engage with him." Gates said Epstein was unsuccessful in his effort.
− "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place," Gates said.
+ Law Bondi doubles down on her handling of Epstein files in testimony to Congress Lawmakers said they've seen Epstein try to blackmail powerful people before. "He uses that over and over again," Rep.
− "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." The committee interview is not being recorded, in contrast to the videotaped appearances earlier this year of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to the committee.
+ Robert Garcia, the lead Democrat on the committee, said of Epstein during a break in the interview.
− The Republican-led committee will, instead, release a transcript in the days afterward, as it did after the appearances of former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
+ "The theme of blackmail, the theme of using his power and information against others is very common." Gates said he realized in 2014 that Epstein "would never deliver on his promises" and stopped communicating or meeting with him.
− Committee chair Rep.
+ "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place," Gates said. The committee interview was not recorded, in contrast to the videotaped appearances earlier this year of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to the committee.
− James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, told reporters that the committee planned to question Gates about his relationship with Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.
+ The Republican-led committee will, instead, release a transcript in the days afterward, as it did after the appearances of former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
− "What did he see?
+ Rep.
− Did he know what was going on?
+ Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, said she directly asked Gates why he continued to associate with Epstein even though he was a registered sex offender.
− Was he involved in any of this?" Comer said.
+ She said he responded that "getting billions of dollars for global health was worth it." "He admitted that he knew of Mr.
− He added that lawmakers are not accusing Gates of wrongdoing and appreciate that Gates came in voluntarily.
+ Epstein's reputation. He admitted that he knew that he had been convicted of sexual crimes. But ultimately, in his words, he viewed this narrow relationship as being an acceptable means to access wealthy donors," Stansbury said.
− Rep.
+ Other lawmakers, like Rep.
− Robert Garcia of California, the lead Democrat on the committee, said Democrats are interested in "who was in Epstein's orbit." Law Bill Gates will testify in the Epstein probe; Pam Bondi testimony postponed "Anyone that was around Jeffrey Epstein, we want to hear from," Garcia said.
+ Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, called the questioning "intense," but said Gates was "well-coached" in his answers and he didn't expect too much new information.
− The Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist is one of many influential people whose names appear in the Department of Justice documents about the disgraced financier.
+ Overall, Burchett said it's clear to him that Epstein was "a friend collector." "He just liked to have people around him that were a big deal," Burchett said. From his view, Garcia said Gates was "being cooperative in answering the questions, but he's certainly pushing back." The Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist is one of many influential people whose names appear in the Department of Justice documents about the disgraced financier.
Appearing in the files is not necessarily an indication of criminal wrongdoing.
− Interview highlights Here's why Bill Gates is giving away most of his remaining fortune to his charity Gates' name appears numerous times in the Epstein files.
+ Gates' name appears numerous times in the Epstein files.
He allegedly met with Epstein multiple times after the financier's conviction in 2008 for sex crimes that involved minors. An email indicates that Gates planned to travel on Epstein's private plane in 2013. Gates also appears in photos with Epstein and others whose faces are redacted. In his opening statement, Gates did not address any travel on Epstein's plane, but said he never went to Epstein's island, ranch or Florida home. Epstein was arrested a second time in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges and later died in prison. Authorities determined his death was a suicide.
− Epstein's emails also mention Gates' ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.
+ Interview highlights Here's why Bill Gates is giving away most of his remaining fortune to his charity Epstein's emails also mention Gates' ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.
In one instance, Epstein claims, in an email that appears to be sent to himself, that he helped Bill Gates get medication to treat an STI from "sex with Russian girls." Epstein also said that Gates had wanted to try to give that medication to French Gates in secret. Gates did not directly address the email in his opening statement, but he said Epstein became aware of "sensitive information about my personal life," including his affairs.
− "As the public can now see, based on what has been released in the files, 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. "He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda." French Gates told NPR in February that the emails in the Epstein files filled her with "unbelievable sadness" and reminded her of problems she faced in her marriage.
+ French Gates told NPR in February that the emails in the Epstein files filled her with "unbelievable sadness" and reminded her of problems she faced in her marriage.
"Whatever questions remain there of what — I can't even begin to know all of it — those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband," French Gates said. "They need to answer to those things, not me." A spokesperson for Bill Gates also told NPR earlier this year: "These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame." Survivors of Epstein's abuse continue to call for justice and transparency from the committee's investigation. Annie Farmer, who testified publicly that Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused her at Epstein's New Mexico ranch when she was 16, told NPR on Monday that a lot of people don't realize how long and personal Epstein and Gates' relationship was, and "it's fair" for Gates to answer questions about that connection. "What we've seen so far is that a lot of people have taken the stance of just wanting to cover for themselves and have not offered real information," Farmer said of some of the high-profile appearances before the committee.
− "With each person that comes, there's an opportunity to do something different, and I hope that [Gates] chooses to do that." Comer told reporters that he has been meeting with survivors and asking them to read the transcripts of the depositions.
+ "With each person that comes, there's an opportunity to do something different, and I hope that [Gates] chooses to do that." Law Bill Gates will testify in the Epstein probe; Pam Bondi testimony postponed Committee chair Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, told reporters that he has been meeting with survivors and asking them to read the transcripts of the depositions.
"If the survivors see any things that were said in the depositions and interviews that aren't true, we're working with them to try to get evidence to figure out if the witnesses were lying," he said. On Tuesday, the committee interviewed Epstein's longtime assistant, Lesley Groff. Groff's name appears in thousands of Epstein documents, and was involved in scheduling meetings and planning times for girls to meet with Epstein. Groff denied any knowledge or participation in Epstein's crimes. Along with Gates and Groff, this summer the committee plans to interview billionaire investor Leon Black, former Bill Clinton aide Doug Band, former Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, according to Comer. Comer also said on Wednesday that he would be asking law professor Alan Dershowitz to come for an interview.
− "The government has failed the survivors," Comer told reporters in May.
+ Garcia said he also wants to subpoena both acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to testify in the investigation.
− "We're taking this investigation seriously." Garcia said he also wants to subpoena both acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to testify in the investigation.
+ Comer said on Wednesday he wants Blanche to come before the committee in July, but emphasized that Blanche also spoke before the committee with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi for a briefing in March.
− Comer said he wants Blanche to come before the committee in July, but emphasized that Blanche also spoke before the committee with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi for a briefing in March.
Democrats walked out of that briefing. The Gates Foundation is a financial supporter of NPR. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor