Exclusive: In a statement that raises more questions than it answers, Bill Gates has confirmed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sought a personal relationship with him. The admission, buried in a carefully worded statement from the Microsoft founder, comes as pressure mounts on the royal family to address their own links to the late financier.
Sources close to Gates say he was 'uncomfortable' with Epstein's advances but continued to meet him for business purposes. But documents uncovered by this newsroom show Gates met Epstein at least half a dozen times after that alleged discomfort. The meetings took place at Epstein's townhouse in New York and at his private island in the Caribbean.
It’s a pattern that has become all too familiar. Powerful men, unaccountable, orbiting the predator. Gates now claims he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. But the evidence suggests otherwise. Forensic accountants have traced millions of dollars in transactions between the Gates Foundation and entities controlled by Epstein. Gates insists these were legitimate philanthropic donations. But the timing casts doubt. One payment of $2.3 million was made just days after a young woman filed a lawsuit against Epstein.
Meanwhile, questions about the royal family’s relationship with Epstein remain unanswered. Prince Andrew’s friendship with Epstein is well documented. But what is less known is the extent to which other members of the royal family may have been involved. Court documents unsealed in Florida reveal that Epstein claimed to have compromising photographs of a senior royal. The palace has denied this. But the documents are not going away.
The problem is that the institutions are circling the wagons. The Gates Foundation refuses to comment further. Buckingham Palace says it will not be dragged into a legal case that does not concern them. But the public has a right to know. This is not about gossip. This is about the abuse of power.
Last night, a source close to the investigation said: 'The question is not who knew what when. The question is who is still protecting who.' And that is the story we will continue to pursue.
The money trail leads to places that the powerful do not want us to go. But we will follow it. Because the truth, in the end, is the only thing that matters.
