Microsoft founder Bill Gates has spoken out publicly for the first time following the release of nearly three million pages of documents by the US Department of Justice relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case, admitting that he made the wrong decision to spend time with the late sex offender.
In an interview with 9News Australia, Gates denied any wrongdoing and denied the baseless allegations against him, including the content of a draft email written by Epstein in 2013 and included in the latest documents released by authorities.
Gates explained that the email was never sent and is considered fake, insisting that he had no knowledge of Epstein's intentions at the time.
Gates said his first meeting with Epstein was in 2011, after Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
He explained that the relationship was forged in the hope that Epstein could introduce him to influential individuals who could potentially contribute to the Gates Foundation, which is active in its mission to improve global health, reduce extreme poverty and advance gender equality.
According to Gates, his involvement with Epstein was limited to a few dinners and never involved a visit to Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands, where he allegedly sexually exploited dozens of women and young girls.
Gates also insisted that he never met any of the women in that context.
Gates acknowledged that his decision to spend time with Epstein was a big mistake and expressed deep regret, while insisting that any relationship was never linked to any form of misconduct or criminal conduct.
