NEW YORK — The Gates Foundation announced Wednesday it has launched an independent investigation into its historical connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates faces increased examination following the release of Justice Department records tied to the disgraced financier.
During a February internal meeting at the influential charitable organization he co-founded with former wife Melinda French Gates, Bill Gates addressed his connection to Epstein in what sources described as a frank discussion. The external investigation represents the foundation’s most direct effort to confront relationships that have overshadowed its mission to prevent maternal and child mortality while combating major infectious diseases worldwide.
“In March, with the support of our chair, Bill Gates, and our independent Governing Board members, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review to assess past foundation engagement with Epstein, and our current policies for vetting and developing new philanthropic partnerships,” the organization stated. The Wall Street Journal initially broke the story about an internal staff memo describing the investigation.
The charitable organization has been experiencing significant transitions recently. In January, the Gates Foundation announced plans to limit operational expenses and gradually eliminate up to 500 jobs — approximately 20% of its workforce — by 2030. This restructuring follows last year’s decision to dissolve the foundation by 2045, sooner than originally planned.
Released Justice Department records contain email communications between Gates and Epstein discussing charitable initiatives, scheduled meeting entries, and photographs showing Gates at gatherings where both men were present. Gates has faced no criminal allegations related to his association with Epstein, maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal activities, and insists their interactions focused solely on philanthropic matters.
In a February statement, the foundation admitted that “a small number” of staff members engaged with Epstein due to his “claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health and development.” However, no joint fund was established and the foundation transferred no money to Epstein, according to their earlier announcement.
“The foundation regrets having any employees interact with Epstein in any way,” their statement declared.
Warren Buffett, one of the foundation’s longest-standing and most significant supporters, is monitoring the document releases carefully. The investor, who contributes a portion of his yearly Berkshire Hathaway stock to the nonprofit, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” last month that clearly “there was a lot I didn’t know.”
After stepping down as foundation trustee in 2021, Buffett has maintained his annual donations typically made at the end of June. However, he indicated he will “wait and see what unfolds” regarding the Justice Department documents and congressional investigations into their contents. He pointed out the foundation maintains substantial reserves with an $86 billion endowment and noted Gates possesses “plenty of his own money.”
“So, in any event, I’ll just wait and see. And there’s three and a half million, or whatever it is pages – I mean, it is astounding,” Buffett commented about the Epstein documentation.
A Gates Foundation representative characterized Buffett as “an extraordinarily generous partner” spanning nearly twenty years in Wednesday’s statement to the Associated Press.
“We are deeply grateful for his support, which has enabled us to accelerate progress on some of the world’s toughest challenges that would not otherwise have been possible,” the spokesperson stated.
The Gates Foundation anticipates its board and leadership will receive findings from the Epstein investigation this summer. The identity of the third-party investigators remains undisclosed.
