Three questions Bill Gates could face as he testifies to Congress on Epstein

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Three questions Bill Gates could face as he testifies to Congress on Epstein34 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGary O'DonoghueChief North America correspondentUS Department of JusticeEpstein and Gates pictured together in an undated image published by the US Department of JusticeBill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's most prominent philanthropists, is set to be interviewed by a congressional committee on Wednesday about his past association with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Gates is appearing voluntarily in Washington, saying he welcomes the opportunity to answer questions about his relationship with the disgraced financier before the House Oversight Committee. Epstein killed himself in a jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.

His long-time friend and associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison term for her part in his crimes. Gates's connection to Epstein came to wider public attention after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently published more than three million pages of documents linked to the criminal investigation of Epstein. Gates's name appeared thousands of times.

The Details

He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and rejected the idea that he knew anything about Epstein's illegal activity. But in a TV interview earlier this year, he did acknowledge he exercised poor judgement in meeting Epstein. "I was foolish to spend time with him.

I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him," he said. Gates on Epstein: 'Every minute I spent with him I regret'Among the material released by the DOJ was a photograph that appears to show Gates near an aircraft with Epstein's pilot present. Gates has said he travelled with Epstein on a private jet - one of those facts that have haunted many who have been tarnished by Epstein.

Other images show Gates posing with his arm around Epstein and a number of unidentified women. Documents also include draft emails attributed to Epstein, containing a series of unverified and disputed claims about Gates's personal life. These include allegations that Epstein facilitated "illicit trysts" with "married women" for Gates, that the Microsoft co-founder had contracted a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) from what Epstein called "Russian girls", and that he had "helped Bill get drugs" to treat it.

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A separate email alleged that Gates sought to "surreptitiously" give his then-wife Melinda antibiotics to protect her from the same infection. Gates strongly denies these claims but has admitted having had affairs with two Russian women. So, what are three big questions Epstein could be asked by the congressional committee?

Why did Gates get to know a man who was already a convicted sex offender? Gates's core explanation for his association with Epstein has been that the relationship was transactional, centring on discussions about philanthropy and potential funding for his foundation that ultimately came to nothing.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.