Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently revealed to a US congressional panel that he had affairs with three women and accused the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein of attempting to blackmail him over these relationships. Gates’ testimony, delivered voluntarily before the US House Oversight Committee on June 10, sheds new light on his controversial interactions with Epstein, who died in a jail cell in 2019.

The tech billionaire stated that Epstein was aware of two of his affairs, specifically with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova and nuclear physicist Karima Nigmatulina. Gates later acknowledged a third affair involving medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt. According to the testimony transcript released on Tuesday, Gates explicitly detailed Epstein’s alleged motives. "These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family," Gates told the committee. He added, "Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities — in addition to many lies that he layered on top — to pressure me to re-engage with him."

This testimony forms a critical part of the House Oversight Committee’s ongoing investigation into Epstein’s vast network and his connections to powerful individuals. Lawmakers sought Gates’ input following the Justice Department’s release of additional documents, which intensified scrutiny over his past dealings with the disgraced financier. Gates has consistently denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities, acknowledging that his decision to maintain contact with him was a significant error.

During questioning, Gates elaborated on the nature of Epstein’s alleged blackmail attempt. He suggested that Epstein "contemplated blackmailing me" after acquiring knowledge of his personal life, though he clarified that the attempt never fully materialized. "He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me," Gates explained. This suspicion was linked to a 2013 email draft written by Epstein, which reportedly referenced allegations concerning Gates’ personal life and his former employee, Boris Nikolic, who served as a mutual connection between the two men.

Gates described the communication as a clear effort by Epstein to gain leverage. He speculated on Epstein’s intentions, stating, "Who knows if he ever sent it to Dr. Nikolic, but it looks like he’s musing on using a mixture of facts and falsities as an effort, almost like a blackmail, to advance some goal." This incident underscores the manipulative tactics Epstein allegedly employed to control and influence those within his orbit.

The testimony also addressed claims from Epstein-related documents suggesting Gates had concerns about a sexually transmitted infection following an affair. Gates firmly denied these allegations. "I never had an STD... I may have indicated some concern about whether I had an STD; I don’t recall that. But I never had an STD. I never gave medicines to anyone covertly," he asserted. He did concede that he might have discussed such concerns with Boris Nikolic, the mutual friend.

Gates detailed his interactions with Epstein, stating he met him approximately 12 to 14 times, alongside two video calls, over a four-year period. These meetings continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex offense charges, as revealed by documents from the Justice Department. Gates maintained that his primary reason for meeting Epstein was related to discussions about philanthropic initiatives, with Epstein repeatedly promising to connect him with wealthy donors. However, these promises ultimately failed to materialize.

In February, Gates reportedly took responsibility for his actions during a town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation. The scrutiny surrounding these interactions has also extended to the Gates Foundation itself. In April, the foundation announced it had initiated an external review of its past dealings with Epstein, further highlighting the seriousness with which these revelations are being treated. Emails released by the Justice Department in January also showed communications between Epstein and members of the foundation’s staff, indicating a broader scope of interaction than previously understood. The ongoing investigations aim to fully uncover the extent and nature of Epstein’s influence and the roles played by his high-profile associates.