An external review commissioned by the Gates Foundation has found that there were roughly 30 meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and foundation leaders and staff, including Bill Gates, between 2011 and 2014. The review, conducted by law firm WilmerHale, was based on more than 50 interviews with current and former foundation personnel, including Gates, and reviewed extensive written materials.
The foundation commissioned the review in March, following the Justice Department's release of millions of documents related to Epstein earlier this year. The files included numerous references to Gates, several photographs of him, and records showing that he met with Epstein on multiple occasions, prompting renewed scrutiny of Gates's past ties to the disgraced financier.
Key findings of the review
WilmerHale found no evidence of participation in or knowledge of Epstein's ongoing sex trafficking operations or criminal activities. The law firm also found no evidence that the foundation was contemporaneously aware of Epstein's use of the foundation's name to help advance his conduct, and no evidence that Epstein was paid by the foundation.
According to the report, Epstein was introduced to Gates and other foundation personnel in 2011 by an adviser who held a dual role at the foundation and in Gates's personal office. The interactions involved discussions about a potential donor-advised fund entity and Gates's engagement with a nonprofit organization that later became a foundation grantee.
The review identified roughly 30 meetings between Epstein and ten foundation leaders and staff, including Gates, from 2011 to 2014. These included one meeting on the foundation's campus and several meetings at Epstein's Manhattan residence. The meetings focused on the donor-advised fund concept, donor engagement, the foundation's polio strategy, and introductions to IPI.
Staff concerns and Gates's response
The report concluded that Gates was aware of reputational concerns related to Epstein's prior conviction and sentencing for a sex-related offense when he began conversations with him in 2011. Foundation staff raised on multiple occasions the risks of associating with Epstein because of his prior conviction, and those concerns were raised to senior leadership, including Gates.
Gates has publicly expressed regret over his past association with Epstein. In June, he testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, telling lawmakers he never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 through people he trusted in his professional and philanthropic work, and that Epstein claimed he could raise billions of dollars for global health.
Gates acknowledged that he was aware Epstein had faced prior legal issues but did not fully understand the extent of his crimes. He said their interactions ended in December 2014.
Foundation's new policies
The Gates Foundation announced that its governing board approved recommendations based on the report's findings, including creating a centralized vetting process for brokers, donor advisers, co-funders, and others facilitating funding partnerships, as well as an escalation process for organizational risks on projects.
Gates said in a statement that completing the review is an important step in providing clarity and strengthening oversight with additional policies, adding that the foundation is committed to ensuring trust and transparency are never compromised.
