Bill Gates Took Responsibility for Epstein Ties at Staff Meet

Bill Gates told employees at his philanthropic organisation that he took responsibility for his past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to a statement from the Gates Foundation and a report by The Wall Street Journal.

During a scheduled town hall with staff, Gates addressed questions about newly released Epstein files connected to Epstein. The Microsoft co-founder described spending time with Epstein as a “huge mistake” and apologised to those affected by the controversy.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates told staff he met Epstein in 2011 and continued meeting him until 2014, including encounters abroad. Gates said he never stayed overnight at Epstein’s properties or visited his private island. He also stated he had not met or interacted with any of Epstein’s victims.

• Bill Gates takes responsibility for Epstein ties, apologizes to staff at town hall
• Gates acknowledges poor judgment in Epstein meetings but denies any illicit activity
• Gates clarifies no financial ties to Epstein, apologizes for meeting him post-2008

Images included in documents released earlier this year show Gates posing with women whose identities were redacted. Gates said the photographs were taken at Epstein’s request following meetings.

The renewed scrutiny follows the US Department of Justice’s release of additional Epstein-related files in January. Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims. A spokesperson reiterated that while Gates acknowledges the meetings were a serious error in judgment, he denies any improper conduct related to sex trafficking charges.

The Gates Foundation confirmed no financial relationship was established with Epstein. No fund was created, no payments were made, and he was never employed by the foundation, the organisation said.

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Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges linked to a New York jail death investigation.