Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, has agreed to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability next month for a transcribed interview, a source familiar with the congressional investigation confirmed to The World Signal. The session, scheduled for June 10, is part of the panel's ongoing probe into the network and activities of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), formally requested Gates's testimony in March, stating it believed the billionaire had information relevant to its inquiry. Gates is among several high-profile individuals who have faced scrutiny over past associations with Epstein.
Gates's Statement and Past Controversies
A spokesperson for Gates stated he "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee." The spokesperson added, "While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work."
Gates's connection to Epstein resurfaced prominently earlier this year following the release of Justice Department documents related to the Epstein case. Among the records were two emails from Epstein dated July 2013, years after Epstein's initial conviction for sex crimes. One email, apparently intended for Gates, contained allegations that Gates had requested Epstein's help in deleting emails concerning a sexually transmitted disease and in obtaining antibiotics to give to his then-wife without her knowledge.
A second email appeared to be a draft resignation announcement for the Gates Foundation, in which Epstein claimed he had assisted Gates in acquiring drugs to "deal with consequences of sex with [R]ussian girls." The provenance and intended recipients of these emails remain unclear. Gates has previously characterized his relationship with Epstein as a "huge mistake."
The Broader Congressional Investigation
The House Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein represents a significant congressional effort to examine the extent of his influence and the failures that allowed his crimes to persist. This probe follows other unresolved questions surrounding the case, including those highlighted by recent legal developments that left key aspects of the Epstein saga open for legislative review.
According to the source, the committee has secured agreements from several other individuals to testify in the coming months. The list includes Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, billionaire and Gateway co-founder Ted Waitt, Epstein's former aide Lesley Groff, and Tova Noel, one of the federal prison guards on duty the night Epstein died in his cell. The committee's work parallels other high-stakes ethical and oversight matters on Capitol Hill, such as the recent advancement of a case by the House Ethics Panel concerning alleged FEMA fund misuse.
The transcribed interview with Gates will be conducted privately. It remains to be seen if a public hearing will follow. The committee's focus is expected to include the nature and duration of Gates's interactions with Epstein, any communications between them, and whether Gates observed or was aware of any illegal activity.
This development ensures that the political and legal fallout from the Epstein case will continue to capture Washington's attention, drawing powerful figures from the worlds of technology, finance, and politics into a formal congressional inquiry. The testimony could provide new details about Epstein's operations and his ability to cultivate relationships with some of the world's most influential people.
