The co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, said this June 10 before a committee of the United States Congress that he feels sorry for having related to Jeffrey Epstein and that he was unaware of the criminal activities of the American financier.
“I never should have met with Epstein in the first place. In light of what I know now, I understand that even if I had gotten the new donors he promised, That wouldn’t have justified me associating with him.“Gates would have said.
The hearing was held behind closed doors and the statements of the co-founder of Microsoft were recorded by several testimonies.
“I never went to his island, his ranch or his residence in Florida. I have never victimized anyone. While it is possible that he was trying to foster a personal relationship, I never had any interest in it nor did I reciprocate such attempts,” he added.
The computer scientist and businessman insisted on not knowing that “Epstein was involved in ongoing criminal activity“.
The billionaire also recounted the origins of his relationship with Epstein, whom he met in 2011 through trusted people.in the professional and philanthropic field“, and warned that the late financier “claimed he could raise billions of dollars for global health” from his clients.
“My interactions with Epstein began with a limited number of preliminary meetings—three in 2011 and two in 2012—during which I discussed the goals of Epstein. my work. We began more extensive conversations in 2013 and 2014,” he detailed in the testimony.
Gates wanted to clarify the scope of his relationship with Epstein and assured that their contacts ended “in December 2014, four years before New press reports and declassified court documents will bring to light the extent of his crimes.“.
“Now I see that he sought to build an image of legitimacy around himself, using his contacts with influential and respectable people, to evade scrutiny and try to rehabilitate his reputation,” he said.
The technology magnate insisted: “I have learned an important lesson and now I am much more cautious regarding who I associate with, even in a limited way“.