07:02 PM EDT, 06/10/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Microsoft ( MSFT ) co-founder Bill Gates told a House panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein that his meetings with the convicted sex offender were a "grave error in judgment" and said he regrets any credibility the relationship may have given Epstein, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

Gates said Epstein later used information about his personal life, including extramarital affairs, to pressure him to resume contact. He said the affairs were unrelated to Epstein.

Gates also told lawmakers he was aware of Epstein's prior conviction but had no indication the financier was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct, according to Bloomberg.