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Bill Gates has testified behind closed doors before the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee as part of the investigation examining his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The testimony is being recorded in written form, not video. Authorities are expected to release a transcript of the hearing later.
The Microsoft co-founder does not face any charges related to Epstein. However, he has acknowledged having a professional relationship with him and met him several times between 2011 and 2014. The meetings focused on discussions about creating an investment fund, a project that never materialized.
Gates has previously described his association with Epstein as a "serious mistake." He has also admitted to having extramarital affairs with women known to Epstein. His office has disputed the allegations in the case documents, calling them "baseless."
Among the allegations denied by Gates' representatives are reports of drug use, involvement in illicit sexual encounters and suspicions that he had transmitted a sexually transmitted disease to his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.
Before the start of the testimony, Gates stated that he was participating voluntarily in the process and that he intended to assist the committee's work.
He said he would present an opening statement and expressed hope that his testimony would contribute to efforts to secure justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, Gates has reportedly hired Jake Greenberg, the former legal counsel for the Oversight Committee, to prepare him for the hearing. The development has sparked discussions about how the process will proceed, as Greenberg previously worked on the House Epstein investigation before leaving office in December.
Under congressional ethics rules, Greenberg will not participate in Gates' testimony. The restrictions prohibit former congressional officials from directly interacting with lawmakers for a one-year period after leaving office.
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