Gates Foundation Orders Review of Epstein Contacts
Earlier this year, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched an external review of its contacts with financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex offenses. The move followed the release of emails by the US Justice Department showing communications between Epstein and foundation staff.
CEO Mark Suzman has commissioned an independent audit to assess both past ties and current rules for selecting partners. The foundation said the process is underway and that initial findings are expected over the summer.
The organization also said it never provided Epstein with funding or employed him, but now regrets any contact.
Bill Gates has acknowledged that his meetings with Epstein were a mistake, saying the relationship was limited to philanthropy. He has denied spending time with victims of sexual abuse linked to the financier. However, photographs released by the US State Department show him posing with Epstein alongside women with blackened faces.