Microsoft co-founder Invoice Gates started being questioned on Wednesday morning by a Home committee about his controversial friendship with the infamous intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I hope my testimony is useful to the essential work of the committee to search out justice for the victims,” Gates mentioned in a short assertion after he arrived about an hour earlier than his interview by the Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee.
A spokesperson for Gates, in an announcement emailed to CNBC, mentioned, “Gates welcomes the chance to seem earlier than the Committee. Whereas he by no means witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s unlawful conduct, he’s trying ahead to answering all of the committee’s inquiries to help their essential work.”
The mega-billionaire is among the greatest names to undergo a grilling by the committee, which for months has investigated Epstein’s community of high-profile mates.
Gates’ testimony comes a day after the committee questioned Epstein’s former longtime government assistant, Lesley Groff.
A transcript of his testimony is predicted to be launched within the subsequent a number of days.
Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the committee, advised reporters Tuesday that “something’s on the desk” when it comes to questions for Gates. “He looks like he is — in accordance with his attorneys — I would not say desperate to testify, however he is keen to testify, and he hasn’t fought it. And I respect that.”
Gates turned mates with Epstein in 2011, the Wall Avenue Journal has reported.
Microsoft co-founder Invoice Gates arrives for a closed-door interview with the Home Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 10, 2026.
Kent Nishimura | Afp | Getty Pictures
That was three years after Epstein pleaded responsible in Florida state court docket to soliciting an underage lady for prostitution. Epstein served 13 months in jail in that case.
He died from a jailhouse suicide in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on federal little one intercourse trafficking expenses.
The friendship between Gates and Epstein acquired renewed consideration in late 2025 with the discharge of paperwork about Epstein and his associates by the Division of Justice and Congress.
Gates has not been accused of wrongdoing in reference to Epstein.
CNBC has requested remark from the Gates Basis, the philanthropic group based by Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda Gates, about his testimony.
The New York Instances reported Tuesday that Gates was making ready for his testimony with the assistance of Jake Greenberg, who till December was the oversight committee’s chief investigations counsel.
CNBC has requested remark from Greenberg.
In February, Gates apologized to employees at a Gates Basis city corridor for his affiliation with Epstein, and admitted he had affairs with two Russian girls, in accordance with The Wall Avenue Journal, which famous that Epstein had develop into conscious of the affairs.
“I did nothing illicit. I noticed nothing illicit,” Gates mentioned throughout that mea culpa session, in accordance with the Journal.
However Gates additionally reportedly mentioned on the occasion that “it was an enormous mistake to spend time with Epstein” and convey basis executives into conferences with Epstein.
“I apologize to different people who find themselves drawn into this due to the error that I made,” Gates reportedly mentioned.
The Gates Basis beforehand introduced it had commissioned an exterior assessment of the philanthropy’s previous ties with Epstein. The inspiration mentioned it anticipated that its board and administration would obtain an replace concerning the assessment this summer time.
Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett, a longtime good friend of Gates, advised CNBC’s Becky Fast in late March that he had not spoken to the Microsoft co-founder “since the entire thing” with the Epstein information “was unveiled.”
“I do not need to be able the place I do know issues … to be known as as a witness,” Buffett mentioned. “I believe till it will get cleared up, it would not make sense to do numerous speaking.”
Buffett known as Epstein a con man who exploited the weaknesses of different folks.
“Males are going to love intercourse … and a few of them are going to love not paying taxes, and he discovered their weaknesses,” Buffett mentioned.
Buffett has donated greater than $43 billion to the Gates Basis since 2006.
— Karen James Sloan contributed to this report.
