Bill Gates to appear before House committee investigating Epstein

Washington — Bill Gates will appear before the House Oversight Committee for a transcribed interview as part of the panel's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, according to a source familiar with the plans. The Microsoft co-founder is scheduled for questioning on June 10, the source said. A spokesperson for Gates said he "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee." "While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work," the spokesperson said. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the panel's Republican chairman, wrote to Gates on March 3 requesting he appear for the interview. "Due to public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes you have information that will assist in its investigation," Comer wrote at the time. Gates, who is one of the world's wealthiest people, apologized in February to the staff of his philanthropic Gates Foundation for his ties to Epstein. He said their relationship lasted from 2011 through 2014. In July 2013, Epstein sent himself a pair of emails containing unverified allegations that Gates had extramarital "sex with Russian girls" that resulted in a sexually transmitted infection requiring antibiotic treatment. In one email, Epstein claimed Gates also sought to "surreptitiously give" antibiotics to his then-wife, Melinda Gates. …