Gates Foundation engaged with Epstein but made no payments to him

An external review conducted for the Gates Foundation has found it engaged with Jeffrey Epstein, but discovered no evidence of payments or participation in criminal activities linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender, the philanthropic group said on Tuesday.



The foundation has been under scrutiny due to Chair Bill Gates' association with Epstein. The U.S. Justice Department's release of some of its Epstein files earlier this year included photos of Gates posing with the financier and with women whose faces were redacted. They also showed communication between Epstein and the Gates Foundation's staff.



Gates, 70, has repeatedly expressed regret for having anything to do with Epstein and has denied spending time with victims of Epstein's sexual abuse, saying he never witnessed criminal conduct by Epstein. He has not been accused of any crimes.