Bill Gates, the Microsoft (MS) founder who was embroiled in allegations that he befriended billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and contracted an STD through an extramarital relationship, acknowledged the affair. However, he said the partner was not a victim of Epstein's sexual exploitation and claimed he did not know about Epstein's crimes.
According to the U.S. daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ), on Jan. 24 local time, Gates addressed the Epstein-related allegations during a town hall meeting with staff of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and made these remarks.
At the event, Gates said, "I had two affairs in the past," adding, "The partners were a Russian bridge player (bridge is a type of card game) whom I met at a bridge match, and a Russian nuclear physicist whom I met during business activities."
He said Boris Nikolic, a former close aide and science adviser, told Epstein about this, and that was how Epstein learned of the affair.
In this regard, the WSJ reported that Epstein tried to use Gates' affair to blackmail him. It said Epstein contacted Mila Antonova, the bridge player who was Gates' affair partner, in 2013, paid her tuition, and then in 2017 demanded that Gates repay this expense.
The Russian nuclear physicist was known to be a former employee of Gates' company. However, it was not confirmed whether the woman met Gates while she was employed at the company.
Gates acknowledged the affairs but said the partners were not victims of Epstein's sexual exploitation.
According to a recording of the town hall meeting reviewed by the WSJ, Gates said, "I did not do anything inappropriate, and I did not see anything inappropriate," adding, "I never spent any time with the victims or with women around Epstein."
Regarding photos in the so-called "Epstein files" that show Gates with women whose faces are obscured, he said, "They were just photos taken because Epstein asked me to take pictures with his executive assistants right after a meeting."
Gates is known to have first met Epstein in 2011. That was after Epstein was convicted in 2008 on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Gates said he knew Epstein was involved in "an 18-month matter," but did not specifically check the background.
Epstein had previously served an 18-month sentence but was allowed to work at an office during the day and return to a facility only at night, effectively a work-release arrangement; Gates claimed he did not know the exact details of this.
Gates also disclosed that his ex-wife Melinda expressed concerns about Epstein in 2013. He said, "Deservedly, Melinda was always somewhat skeptical about matters related to Epstein."
However, Gates said that even after Melinda raised concerns, in 2014 he flew with Epstein on a private jet and accompanied him to Germany, France and New York. He added that he never stayed with Epstein or visited Epstein's island.
He noted, "It was easy to take the situation for granted because other 'prominent' figures were present at those meetings," adding, "I realize that my interactions with Epstein helped launder the reputation of that sex offender."
He said he last met Epstein in 2014, and that afterward Epstein kept sending emails raising "ancillary issues," but he did not respond.
Gates said, "Spending time with Epstein was a big mistake. I apologize to everyone who was dragged into this because of my mistake," adding, "This is the exact opposite of our foundation and its mission."
Meanwhile, in the "Epstein files" additionally released at the end of last month, Gates faced allegations that he had relationships with Russian women, contracted an STD, and tried to hide it from his ex-wife Melinda.