WASHINGTON: Questions have been raised before a US House committee regarding the past association of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to reports, lawmakers questioned Bill Gates about his interactions with Epstein, including meetings that reportedly took place even after Epstein had been charged with criminal offences.
Responding to the inquiry, Gates said he hoped his testimony would help pave the way for justice for victims.
The renewed scrutiny comes amid the release of a vast trove of documents by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein, including around three million pages of records, 180,000 photographs and 2,000 videos.
Earlier, Gates had apologised to staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after his name surfaced in connection with the Epstein files. He acknowledged making mistakes that had damaged the reputation of the philanthropic organisation.
Gates has repeatedly maintained that he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. He said his interactions with Epstein were aimed at building relationships with wealthy donors for charitable causes.
The Microsoft co-founder insisted that he neither participated in any illegal activity nor witnessed any wrongdoing during his association with Epstein.
