Bill Gates told US lawmakers that he believed Jeffrey Epstein may have been exploring the possibility of using personal information against him as a form of pressure, according to transcripts released by the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday. During a private testimony on June 10, the Microsoft co-founder challenged several claims Epstein had written in private emails about Gates’ personal life and alleged relationships. Gates said many of the details were inaccurate and suggested Epstein may have been collecting such information to gain leverage over him.

“I was not blackmailed,” Gates told the committee, but added that the emails appeared to show Epstein’s thoughts were moving in that direction. Gates said he confronted Epstein about the issue when he was attempting to distance himself from him. While acknowledging that he had been involved in extramarital affairs, Gates said those relationships were not connected to Epstein and that he had no involvement in or awareness of Epstein’s crimes involving underage victims.

Gates told lawmakers that Epstein used indirect language suggesting they should maintain their relationship, which Gates interpreted as a possible attempt to continue gaining influence. He said he made it clear that he would not provide money or support and was prepared to deal with any consequences if Epstein chose to reveal private information. A significant part of the testimony focused on Epstein’s involvement in helping arrange an exit package for Boris Nikolic, a former close adviser to Gates. Gates also said Epstein had sought charitable donations connected to his name, but Gates had previously decided against any such arrangement.

The testimony highlighted Epstein’s connections with influential figures in business, technology, and academia. The disgraced financier, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had built relationships with several powerful individuals before his arrest. Gates has previously acknowledged having affairs during his marriage to Melinda French Gates, which ended after 27 years. In his prepared statement, he said those personal matters were separate from his interactions with Epstein but admitted they caused pain for his family.

He said recently released documents showed Epstein was attempting to use information about his personal life, along with what Gates described as false claims, to pressure him into continuing their relationship. A spokesperson for Gates said he cooperated fully with the committee and answered questions for nearly six hours. The spokesperson added that Gates supports making Epstein-related files public so that the details can be reviewed openly.

During his testimony, Gates said he met Epstein around a dozen times over four years and also spoke with him through video calls. Epstein died in custody in 2019, with authorities ruling his death a suicide. Representative Emily Randall, a member of the House Oversight Committee, said the investigation remains focused on seeking justice for Epstein’s victims. She noted that some individuals connected to Epstein may not have taken part in his crimes but may have ignored warning signs surrounding his activities. Randall said Gates was cooperative during questioning but added that the testimony showed how some powerful people involved with Epstein may have only accepted the parts of his character they wanted to believe.

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