• Bill Gates has publicly apologized to employees about his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Gates described meetings with Epstein as a "huge mistake" and took responsibility for his actions.
• He admitted to having affairs with two Russian women during his marriage.
• Recent DOJ releases have rekindled scrutiny about Gates' relationship with Epstein.
• The Gates Foundation clarified it never employed Epstein or made financial deals with him.

Bill Gates has issued a public apology to the staff of the Gates Foundation regarding his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging that it was a "huge mistake" and detrimental to the foundation's reputation. During a recent town hall meeting, Gates stated, "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," reaffirming that he never interacted with Epstein's victims, according to Reuters, India Times, and BBC.

Gates' regret surfaced as a response to recently released documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, which included details about his meetings with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, following Epstein's 2008 conviction. Gates reportedly admitted he did not sufficiently vet Epstein despite being aware of prior allegations against him. "I never stayed overnight, nor did I visit Epstein's island," Gates clarified, addressing the controversy surrounding his associations, according to Reuters, India Times, and BBC.

In addition to discussing his relationship with Epstein, Gates acknowledged having two extramarital affairs with Russian women during his marriage. "I did have affairs... one with a Russian bridge player... and one with a Russian nuclear physicist," he noted, emphasizing that these did not involve Epstein's victims. This admission forms part of a broader narrative that has raised questions about his character and leadership, according to Reuters, India Times, and BBC.

Despite the controversy, the Gates Foundation asserted that it never made any financial payments to Epstein and did not employ him at any stage. The foundation's spokesperson emphasized that Gates addressed a range of questions during the town hall, confirming his candid reflections on the issue and his commitment to the foundation’s goals. In his remarks, Gates reflected on how his connections to Epstein could impact the foundation's mission, stating, "Our work is very reputational sensitive," according to Reuters, India Times, and BBC.