Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein (Images/Agencies)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told the US House panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein that his meeting with the disgraced financier was a ‘serious error in judgment’, as lawmakers reviewed his past relationship with the convicted sex offender.In a written initial statement released to reporters, Gates said he ‘should never have met Epstein’ and acknowledged that any contact that might have provided legitimacy to Epstein’s image was deeply regrettable.“Now I see that he tried to create an image of legitimacy around himself, using connections with prominent and powerful people to dodge investigation and attempt to rehabilitate his reputation. “If the time I spent with Epstein gave him any credibility, I am deeply sorry,” Gatz said.Gates also told lawmakers that after ending contact with Epstein, the financier allegedly used ‘sensitive information about my personal life’ to pressure him into contacting him again, Bloomberg reported, though he said he never saw any evidence of Epstein’s involvement in ongoing criminal conduct.The House Oversight Committee is investigating Epstein’s extensive networks with powerful figures, following the release of Justice Department files detailing his ties to politics, finance and technology.Lawmakers questioned Gates about the meetings between 2011 and 2014, years after Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in Florida. Epstein later died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.Committee members referenced unverified claims made by Epstein about Gates’ personal and financial affairs, as well as emails, calendar entries and documents suggesting discussions on philanthropy.Gates told the panel that he believed Epstein often ‘wrote emails that were false’ and denied any knowledge of criminal activity involving him.Gates said he was introduced to Epstein through professional and philanthropic networks and initially engaged with him on global health funding ideas, later ending contact when those proposals did not materialize.He has previously said that he never visited Epstein’s private island or properties and did not interact with any of his victims.Lawmakers said Gates voluntarily appeared before the committee, which is investigating how Epstein maintained access to influential figures despite his criminal record and prior convictions.The investigation is also part of a broader review of potential failures in federal oversight related to Epstein’s activities.Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors and died in custody that same year. He previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to the trafficking of a minor for prostitution.The Justice Department released several batches of documents last year outlining Epstein’s contacts in specific networks, with all of the individuals named denying wrongdoing.Gates’ former wife, Melinda French Gates, has said that her relationship with Epstein caused strain in their marriage. Gates had previously called his dealings with Epstein a “big mistake” and said he regretted ever meeting him.