• Bill Gates testifies before the House Oversight Committee regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Gates called meeting Epstein a 'grave error in judgment' and denied knowing about Epstein's criminal activities.
• The testimony comes amid ongoing investigations into Epstein's network of powerful connections.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates addressed the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, stating his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein constituted a "grave error in judgment." During the closed-door session, Gates spoke freely about his regrets at being introduced to Epstein, emphasizing, "I should never have met with Epstein in the first place." He also claimed he never witnessed any ongoing criminal conduct by Epstein, stating, "I have never victimized anyone," and firmly denied ever visiting Epstein's various properties, including his notorious island. Gates expressed these sentiments in a prepared statement that was made public after the hearing, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

In his testimony, Gates reiterated that he met Epstein in 2011 while seeking funding for his philanthropic initiatives and was drawn in by Epstein's claims to help raise billions for global health causes. Gates conveyed his disillusionment with Epstein after several meetings, stating that upon realizing the expected support would not materialize, he severed ties with him in December 2014. "At that point, I concluded Epstein would never deliver on his promises," Gates remarked. Lawmakers have been particularly scrutinizing the nature of Gates' interactions with Epstein, given the extensive documentation recently released by the Justice Department, which indicates numerous high-profile associates were linked to Epstein, according to BBC and India Times.

During the session, Gates reflected on how Epstein allegedly tried to exploit sensitive information regarding Gates' personal life to influence him. "These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein," Gates said, underscoring the unfortunate aspects of his past and distancing himself from any allegations of wrongdoing. He was quick to assert that his relationship with Epstein was never meant to have personal connotations, stating, "While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated," according to India Times and India Times.

The testimony marks a significant point in the ongoing investigations into Epstein's extensive network involving numerous influential figures across various sectors, including politics and business. Lawmakers have expressed their intent to discover how Epstein managed to maintain connections with powerful individuals, including Gates, despite his notorious criminal background. The committee is focused not only on individual actions but also on the systemic failures that allowed Epstein to evade accountability for so long, as noted by Al Jazeera and BBC.