Bill Gates told Congress he suspected Jeffrey Epstein ‘contemplated blackmailing’ him over affairs

BillionaireBill Gatestold the House Oversight Committee this month that he believedJeffrey Epstein“contemplated blackmailing” him over extramarital affairs, according to atranscript of the Microsoft co-founder’s interview released Tuesday.

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“He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me,” Gates told lawmakers on June 10 as part of the committee’s probe into the late convicted sex offender.

In February, Gatesadmitted to members of his foundationthat he had had two affairs and said spending time with Epstein was a “huge mistake.”

At a town hall with staff members at the time, Gates apologized for his connection to Epstein after emails between the two were released, adding: “I did nothing illicit. I said nothing illicit.”

Gates also told House members in the interview this month that he was aware Epstein had a criminal conviction “of a sexual nature” when they met and that he “probably should have” dug into the specifics of the conviction.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida that required him to register as a sex offender. Gates has said that he met Epstein in 2011 and that they had several encounters in addition to exchanging emails.

Gates, who is not accused of any wrongdoing tied to Epstein, added to lawmakers that Epstein never introduced him to young women.

After his testimony on June 10, Gates said in a statement that he “appreciated the opportunity to meet with the House Oversight Committee today and to answer all of their questions.”

“I support the release of all the files and hope my participation contributes to getting justice for the victims,” Gates added.

The committee on Tuesday also released the transcript of itsJune 9 interviewwithLesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime secretary. Groff told lawmakers she never witnessed anything illegal during her 18 years working for him.

Raquel Coronell Uribe is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Kyle Stewart is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the House.