Bill Gates will appear before a congressional panel on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigations into the Jeffrey Epstein Files.
Members of the House Oversight Committee will interview Gates behind closed doors, similar to their discussions with other witnesses in the case. Transcripts are likely to be released later.
The Microsoft co-founder had appeared in the documents multiple times, after which Republican U.S Rep James Comer, who is also the committee chairman, formally requested him to testify.
Everyone named in the files released by the Justice Department has denied involvement in Epstein’s crimes. However, some have maintained or formed friendships with the financier even after his history of sexual abuse became public.
The files included calendar entries for meetings between Gates and Epstein, along with email correspondence about philanthropic projects and photos of the billionaire at events which were attended by Epstein.
According to the documents, the professional relationship between the two began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and lasted until at least late 2014.
Gates has currently not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has also denied knowledge of any of Epstein’s sexual crimes against girls. He had said they only met to discuss philanthropy and called his connection with him “a huge mistake”.
The Gates Foundation acknowledged in February that a few employees met with Epstein based on his “claims that he could mobilise significant philanthropic resources for global health”. However, they never created a charitable fund together and there are no recorded payments made by the foundation to Epstein.
CEO Mark Suzman also commissioned an external review in March to examine the foundation’s past association with Epstein.
Former President Bill Clinton had also faced over six hours of questioning from lawmakers in another closed-door interview in February. Epstein had visited the White House numerous times during Clinton’s term at the office, and the former President had also often flown on Epstein’s private jet.
Democrats of the House Oversight Committee are also pressuring President Donald Trump to appear before the panel due to his close relationship with the convicted child sex offender.
