The Gates Foundation has denied making any payments to Jeffrey Epstein or ever employing him, following the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of emails showing exchanges between the late financier and foundation staff.
The foundation said limited contact took place after Epstein claimed he could mobilise major philanthropic resources for global health and development projects.
However, it stressed that no collaboration moved forward and no funding structure was created.
“No fund was ever established and the foundation did not pursue any collaboration with Epstein,” it said, adding that it regrets any staff interaction linked to the matter.
Founded in 2000 by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his then-wife, the Gates Foundation is one of the world’s largest funders of global health initiatives. Gates remains its chair and a board member.
The DOJ’s mass document release related to Epstein has detailed his links with prominent individuals before and after his 2008 guilty plea to prostitution-related charges involving a minor. He died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, with authorities ruling the death a suicide.
Documents released show Gates and Epstein met several times after Epstein’s prison term to discuss philanthropic efforts. Gates has said the meetings were strictly philanthropy-related and later acknowledged it was a mistake to engage with Epstein.
