Bill Gates tells House panel that meeting with Epstein was 'grave error in judgment'

The Microsoft co-founder is facing questions from the House Oversight Committee.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee probing the government's investigation of Jeffrey Epstein that Gates "never victimized anyone" and that meeting with Epstein "was a grave error in judgment," according to his prepared opening remarks.

Gates is facing questions Wednesday about his relationship with the late financier, marking one of the most high-profile interviews conducted by the Oversight Committee since it began probing the government's handling of its investigations into the notorious sex offender.

Gates told lawmakers that when he first began to engage with Epstein, and throughout the time he spent with him, he was aware that Epstein had a criminal conviction that was sexual in nature, but insisted he did not know the details of Epstein's crimes, according to multiple sources familiar with the interview.

Gates told lawmakers that he was not friends with Epstein and that they didn't socialize beyond dinners where Epstein suggested that he could help Gates raise money for philanthropic endeavors. Gates said that no young women were present at dinners, sources said.

Included among the millions of documents released by the Justice Department this year in response to the Epstein Transparency Act are draft emails where Epstein claimed Gates had extramarital affairs resulting in a sexually transmitted infection -- a claim Gates has denied.

Gates acknowledged having two extramarital affairs that Epstein later learned about. He said that he met those women separately from Epstein and that Epstein never offered women to him, according to sources.

Gates said that he doesn't know for sure when Epstein first learned about his extramarital affairs, but he believes his former science advisor Boris Nikolic informed Epstein about them, sources said.

"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone," Gates testified in his closed-door appearance, according to a copy of his prepared opening statement.

Gates said that Epstein sought to "foster a personal relationship" with him, but said his focus remained on using Epstein to recruit new donors for Gates' global health initiative.

"My interactions with Epstein began with a limited number of preliminary meetings -- three in 2011 and two in 2012 -- during which I talked about the goals of my work," Gates said, according to his statement. "We began more extensive co