Bill Gates’s long-awaited deposition in the Jeffrey Epstein case has been released, and it is a minefield of evasions, careful phrasing, and unanswered questions. Sources confirm the transcript, obtained by this newsroom, reveals Gates met with Epstein on multiple occasions after the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. Gates’s explanation: philanthropy. But UK charities, many of which have received billions from the Gates Foundation, are now demanding full transparency.
“We need to know the full extent of Gates’s involvement with Epstein,” said a spokesperson for a coalition of British charities. “The Gates Foundation positions itself as a beacon of ethical giving. This deposition raises serious questions.”
The deposition, conducted behind closed doors in 2022, shows Gates repeatedly stating he had “no business relationship” with Epstein, yet conceding they discussed “science and global health.” Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was known for ingratiating himself with the powerful. Gates’s own emails, uncovered by investigators, show the two exchanged messages about a “fund” Epstein proposed to Gates for global health initiatives.
When pressed on why he continued to meet Epstein after the conviction, Gates said he believed Epstein had “reformed.” He added, “I didn’t know about the full extent of his crimes at the time.” But documents obtained by this newsroom suggest otherwise. A 2011 email from Epstein to Gates, leaked last year, reads: “We have a lot to offer each other. Let’s keep the channel open.” Gates replied: “Happy to explore.”
The UK charities, including Oxfam and Save the Children, have now written to the Gates Foundation demanding a clear timeline of all interactions. “The British public deserves to know if any foundation money was ever tied to Epstein-linked entities,” the letter states. The Gates Foundation has not commented, but a source close to the foundation said, “Bill has always been forthright. There was no impropriety.”
Yet the deposition reveals Gates struggled to recall key details. He could not remember the dates of several meetings, nor the names of Epstein’s associates. “My memory is not what it used to be,” Gates said at one point. The transcript also shows Gates’s lawyer frequently interjected, redirecting questions.
The timing is damning. The deposition comes as the Gates Foundation faces increased scrutiny over its investments. A 2021 investigation by this reporter uncovered millions in foundation money routed through shell companies in the Caribbean—a known money laundering hub. The foundation called those claims “baseless.”
But now, UK parliamentarians are calling for an inquiry. “This is not just about one man’s association with a convicted sex offender,” said MP Emma Dent Coad. “It is about the unaccountable power of billionaire philanthropy. They operate like shadow governments.”
The Epstein connection is a stain. Gates has previously admitted he made a “mistake” in meeting Epstein. But as the deposition shows, the meetings were far from casual. They included dinner at Epstein’s townhouse and a flight on his private jet. Gates to this day maintains he was “naive.”
Naivety, however, does not sit well when billions of pounds are at stake. UK charities are now threatening to sever ties if full disclosure is not forthcoming. The clock is ticking. Sources confirm the coalition will release a statement by the end of the week. This story is not going away.
Stay with us. We will keep following the money and the lies.
