The House Oversight Committee’s release of Bill Gates’ June 10 interview transcript has brought renewed attention to one of the most scrutinized relationships of his career: his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has long acknowledged that meeting with Epstein was a mistake, but the newly released testimony, along with recent comments from Alan Dershowitz, has once again raised questions about when that relationship began.
One point, in particular, has drawn fresh scrutiny.
According to Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, Gates did not begin associating with Epstein until after Epstein had already been convicted.
Speaking on The Record with Greta Van Susteren, Dershowitz argued that timing is what makes the relationship so difficult to explain.
“Bill Gates became friendly with Epstein after he was convicted, unlike some other people,” Dershowitz said.
He contrasted Gates’ situation with his own, saying that whatever relationship he had with Epstein ended after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008.
💥NEW: Alan Dershowitz: “Bill Gates became friendly with Epstein AFTER he was convicted, unlike some other people — like me … Bill Gates apparently knew him and knew him quite well … his sex life is NOT pure and simple while he was married.” pic.twitter.com/TjDQI011FR
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) June 9, 2026
That year, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida state court to soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution from a person under 18, according to the Associated Press. The plea deal remains highly controversial because it allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution at the time.
Despite that conviction, The New York Times has reported that Gates first met with Epstein in 2011, about three years later.
That timeline has fueled years of questions about why one of the world’s most prominent business leaders chose to spend time with someone whose criminal record was already well known.
The newly released congressional transcript confirms that Gates met with Epstein several times in different cities. Gates also testified that he never visited Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, which later became closely associated with Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
The transcript also touched on personal matters unrelated to Epstein’s crimes, including Gates’ acknowledgment that he had three extramarital affairs during his marriage to Melinda French Gates.
Dershowitz also questioned Gates’ legal representation during the Oversight Committee interview.
He noted that Gates hired attorney Jake Greenberg, who previously served as counsel to the House Oversight Committee before joining DLA Piper.
Without offering additional details, Dershowitz said, “There’s a smell about it.”
Another topic addressed during Gates’ testimony involved Russian bridge player Mila Antonova.
For years, reports have suggested that Epstein may have tried to pressure Gates after learning about Gates’ affair with Antonova. Previously reported emails indicate that Epstein sought reimbursement for expenses related to Antonova, leading to speculation that he intended to use the affair as leverage.
💥NEW: Alan Dershowitz *CALLS OUT* Bill Gates for reportedly hiring adviser for his Epstein testimony💥
“If you’re telling the truth, you don’t have to remember things. You don’t have to have somebody who’s telling you what to say. Just go up there and testify truthfully.” pic.twitter.com/At4VqKnTA4
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) June 9, 2026
Gates rejected the idea that he was ever blackmailed.
“I was not blackmailed,” he testified.
Still, Gates acknowledged that, looking back, Epstein’s emails appeared to be moving in that direction.
“As you look at these emails,” Gates said, “it looks like Mr. Epstein’s brainstorming was going in that direction.”
He added that he never intended to give Epstein any money.
“I was never going to pay anything,” Gates testified.
Throughout the interview, Gates maintained that he never witnessed Epstein commit any crimes and reiterated that he regrets ever meeting him.
The central question, however, remains the same.
Gates has never been charged with any wrongdoing related to Epstein, and nothing in the transcript alleges that he participated in Epstein’s criminal conduct. The debate instead continues to center on why he chose to maintain contact with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction had already become public.
