Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, has been called to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), a member of the committee, confirmed that Gates will sit for a transcribed interview on June 10. The committee plans to question Gates extensively about his relationship with Epstein, which has drawn public scrutiny.
"The Committee plans to grill Gates about his ties to Epstein, what he knew about Epstein's crimes, whether people were ever trafficked to him, why his picture showed up in the files, and why he would choose to associate himself with someone who had committed these crimes," Subramanyam stated.
Gates has previously stated he first met Epstein in 2011, three years after Epstein's 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The committee's investigation aims to uncover more details about Epstein's trafficking and financial crimes and identify others who may have been involved.
According to Subramanyam, the committee has faced challenges in obtaining all requested documents and is relying on gathered information to pursue its inquiry. He noted that some individuals have provided insights into how Epstein's network operated and pointed to other potential figures of interest.
A spokesperson for Gates responded to the news, saying, "He welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee. 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."
The testimony marks a significant development in the congressional probe, placing one of the world's most prominent tech figures under direct examination regarding his connections to the scandal.