The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has started an internal investigation into its founder, Bill Gates, over his past relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move follows the release of documents from the U.S. Department of Justice in April 2025, which included emails and photos connecting the Microsoft billionaire to Epstein. The files also showed communication between Epstein and the foundation’s staff.
Mark Suzman, the CEO of the Gates Foundation, confirmed that an external review has been commissioned to examine the organisation’s past dealings with Epstein. The review will also check the foundation’s current rules for choosing new partners.
“This is a challenging time for our organisation, but it shows how important it is to take tough actions now,” Suzman told staff in a memo earlier this week.
Bill Gates has previously admitted that meeting Epstein was a “mistake,” but he maintained that their discussions were strictly about charity work. However, the foundation’s board is now examining how these ties have affected the organisation’s reputation.
As the investigation continues, Bill Gates is expected to appear before Congress in June 2026 to answer questions about his relationship with the late financier. The foundation expects an update on the internal review by this summer.
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