WASHINGTON, D.C. — Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on June 10. During his testimony, Gates stated that Jeffrey Epstein contemplated blackmailing him over extramarital affairs, though he was never actually blackmailed.

Gates told the committee that Epstein never sent him anything he would classify as blackmail. "He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me," he said. He added that draft emails suggested Epstein was rehearsing how to blackmail him, but none of those messages were sent.

Gates met Epstein in 2011 and acknowledged knowing at the time that Epstein had a criminal conviction of a sexual nature. "I knew that it [the Epstein conviction] was of a sexual nature, but, no, I don't think I knew – dug into the specifics, although I probably should have," he said. Gates stated he was told Epstein could raise billions of dollars for global health.

Gates ended his relationship with Epstein in 2014. That year, Epstein sent Gates an email requesting reimbursement for expenses related to a woman with whom Gates had an affair. Gates stated he instructed Larry Cohen of Gates Ventures that they would not pay Epstein any funds. Gates admitted in February to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women and described his ties to Epstein as a major mistake.

In his opening remarks to the committee, Gates stated that he had never victimized anyone. He stated his relationship with Epstein was strictly professional and that he never witnessed or participated in any inappropriate sexual conduct by Epstein. Gates also stated Epstein never introduced him to young women. He confirmed he has never had a sexually transmitted disease and stated it is possible he was in the presence of Epstein's victims. He said he saw some of Epstein's employees on one of Epstein's airplanes at the end of a meeting.

The House Oversight Committee released a transcript of Gates's testimony on a Tuesday. Following the testimony, Gates issued a statement saying, "I support the release of all the files and hope my participation contributes to getting justice for the victims." Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes. He had pleaded guilty to prostitution charges involving minors in 2008. The U.S. Department of Justice released documents related to the Epstein case in January.