Bill Gates Apologizes for Epstein Ties, Admits Relationships with Russian Women

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a formal apology to the employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation regarding his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a detailed report by the Wall Street Journal, Gates acknowledged that his connection with Epstein was a significant error in judgment that affected the foundation's reputation. Alongside this apology, Gates admitted to having relationships with two Russian women, clarifying the context of certain photographs and meetings that have surfaced in recent investigations.

Apology to Foundation Staff

According to the Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates addressed the staff of his philanthropic organization, expressing deep regret for the association. He stated that spending time with Jeffrey Epstein and involving foundation officials in meetings with him was a major mistake. Gates emphasized that he takes full responsibility for the impact this association had on the people within the organization. He clarified that while his primary motivation was to secure funding for global health initiatives, he failed to properly vet Epstein’s background and character, leading to a situation he now deeply regrets.

Admission of Relationships with Russian Women

The report highlights Gates' admission regarding his personal life, specifically involving two Russian women. Gates addressed photographs where he appeared with women whose faces were blurred, explaining that these images were taken at Epstein's behest with his associates, while he explicitly stated that he never spent time with the victims or the young women associated with Epstein's criminal activities. Gates maintained that his interactions were limited to the individuals mentioned and that he didn't participate in or witness any of the illegal acts for which Epstein was convicted.

Timeline of Association with Epstein

Bill Gates disclosed that his first meeting with Jeffrey Epstein took place in 2011. This occurred three years after Epstein had been convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Gates admitted that he didn't conduct a thorough background check at the time, believing the issues were related to a specific incident that had already been legally addressed. He acknowledged that continuing the relationship despite Epstein's criminal past was a mistake, driven by the hope of raising billions of dollars for global health projects through Epstein's extensive network.

Melinda Gates' Concerns and Travel Details

The report further reveals that Melinda French Gates, Bill's former wife, had expressed serious concerns about Epstein as early as 2013. Despite her discomfort and warnings, Bill Gates continued to meet with Epstein. C, while however, he clarified that he never stayed overnight at Epstein's residences and never visited Epstein's private island, Little St. James. He noted that Melinda remained skeptical of Epstein throughout their marriage.

Context of US Justice Department Files

The recent release of thousands of documents by the US Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein has brought renewed scrutiny to his high-profile associates. These files contain logs, emails, and meeting details involving various global leaders and businessmen. In response to these disclosures, Gates reiterated that he never saw anything illegal during his meetings. He stated that his involvement was strictly focused on philanthropy, but he acknowledged that the association provided Epstein with a level of undeserved credibility, for which he has now apologized to his colleagues and the public.