addressed his connection to convicted sex offender and 鈥渢ook responsibility for his actions鈥� during a town hall meeting of his nonprofit Gates Foundation on Tuesday, the nonprofit said.
鈥淏ill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail,鈥� a Gates Foundation spokesperson said in a statement. The Wall Street Journal first reported news of the town hall.
Gates appears multiple times in the connected to its investigation of the late financier. The Justice Department鈥檚 files include email correspondence between Gates and Epstein about philanthropic projects, calendar entries documenting dates they got together, and photos of Gates at events the two men attended.
Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein and denies any knowledge of Epstein鈥檚 crimes. Gates has said he had met with Epstein to discuss philanthropy and believed he could help Gates raise money for issues like global health. 鈥淓very minute that I spent with him I regret and I apologize that I did that,鈥� Gates told earlier this month.
Photos and mentions of Gates in the Epstein files have attracted increased attention since the Justice Department released millions of documents last month. Last week, Gates at the 鈥渢o ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit鈥檚 key priorities.鈥�
Melinda French Gates, who to focus on her philanthropy through Pivotal Ventures, said when asked about his ties to Epstein. Both Gates and French Gates have said that his relationship with Epstein created problems in their marriage.
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The Associated Press receives financial support for news coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation and for news coverage of women in the workforce and statehouses from Melinda French Gates鈥� organization, Pivotal Ventures.
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