Bill Gates to appear before Congress over Epstein involvement

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates talks during a Gates Foundation event in Stockholm, Sweden, on Jan. 22. Gates' name is mentioned numerous times in the Epstein files. Stefan Jerrevang/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before members of Congress on Wednesday to answer questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as the House Oversight Committee continues its investigation into the late sex offender.

Gates, who has denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, will sit for a closed-door transcribed interview .

The interview will not be recorded, in contrast to the videotaped appearances this year of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , according to the committee. The Republican-led committee will instead release a transcript in the days afterward, as it did after the appearances of former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick .

The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist is one of many influential people whose names appear in the Justice Department documents about the disgraced financier. Appearing in the files is not necessarily an indication of criminal wrongdoing.

A spokesperson for Gates said in an emailed statement to NPR in April that Gates "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee."

"While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work," the statement says. The spokesperson and a lawyer for Gates did not respond to further requests for comment this month.

Gates' name appears numerous times in the Epstein files. He allegedly met with Epstein multiple times after the financier's conviction in 2008 for sex crimes that involved minors. An email indicates that Gates planned to travel on Epstein's private plane in 2013. Gates also appears in photos with Epstein and others whose faces are redacted. Epstein was arrested a second time in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges and later died in prison. Authorities determined his death was a suicide.