Billionaire Bill Gates has claimed he was unaware of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and alleged that the disgraced financier later tried to use information about his affairs to get close to him.
Gates told members of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that he "never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct," according to a copy of his opening remarks obtained by CNN.
The billionaire added: "I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated."
"I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage. These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family," Gates said.
This is a breaking news story. Further updates are expected as more details emerge from the committee hearing.
