"I had affairs, one with a Russian Bridge player I met at competitive events and one with a Russian nuclear physicist I knew through business activities", the Microsoft co-founder stated at a Gates Foundation staff meeting on 24/2/2023.

Gates stated that his former science advisor, Boris Nikolic, knew about these affairs and informed pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Nikolic maintained close ties with both Gates and Epstein.

Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

However, he asserted he was not involved in Epstein's illegal activities. "I did nothing illegal. I also saw nothing illegal", Gates said, according to an audio recording obtained by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

In 2023, the WSJ also reported that Epstein attempted to blackmail Gates regarding his affair with card player Mila Antonova. This occurred after Epstein failed to persuade Gates to join a multi-billion USD charity fund he was trying to establish.

During the meeting, Bill Gates also admitted that maintaining a relationship with Epstein was a "big mistake".

"Spending time with Epstein and involving Gates Foundation executives in meetings with him was a big mistake on my part", he stated. "I apologize to those who were drawn into this due to my error".

In an email from documents released by the US Department of Justice, Epstein accused Gates of having affairs. He also wrote that he had "helped Bill buy medicine to deal with the aftermath of relations with Russian girls, to arranging illicit dates between him and married women".

Gates stated his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting minors for prostitution. He said he knew Epstein was under an "18-month restriction order" but failed to thoroughly check his background.

In 2013, Melinda, his then-wife, expressed concerns about Epstein, but Gates continued the relationship with the billionaire for at least one more year.

"Knowing this information now makes things a hundred times worse, not only regarding his past crimes but also because many wicked acts continued", Gates told staff.

A Gates Foundation spokesperson said Bill Gates holds two staff meetings annually. During these meetings, he "speaks frankly, answers detailed questions, and takes responsibility for his actions".

Epstein, born in 1953, was arrested in New York in July 2019 on charges of enticing dozens of underage individuals and engaging in sexual acts with them. The businessman faced 45 years in prison if convicted. Epstein denied all allegations and was held at a Manhattan, New York prison. While awaiting trial, Epstein hanged himself in his cell in August 2019.

Epstein owned the private island of Little St. James in the Caribbean. US media dubbed it "pedophile island", where Epstein allegedly committed sex crimes with underage girls and invited celebrities to visit.

Vu Hoang (According to AFP, WSJ, Guardian)