* Epstein files showed repeated contact with Gates after

2008

* Microsoft ( MSFT ) co-founder posed for photos with young women

* Emails show Gates Foundation staff communicated with

Epstein

By Nolan D. McCaskill

WASHINGTON, June 10 (Reuters) - Bill Gates told members of

Congress on Wednesday that he "did not fully understand the

extent" of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes when he associated with the

late convicted sex offender to raise money for his philanthropic

foundation.

Gates also testified that he never witnessed any criminal

conduct from Epstein. He accused Epstein of blackmailing him

over his extramarital affairs.

"These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with

Epstein, but they were painful for my family," Gates said,

according to a copy of his opening statement. "Epstein was

working to use information about my infidelities - in addition

to many lies that he layered on top - to pressure me to

re-engage with him."

Congress has been investigating the U.S. Justice Department's

handling of the Epstein case. The billionaire's testimony

concerned his contacts with the convicted sex offender who

ensnared women and girls from poor or unstable backgrounds.

The Microsoft Corp ( MSFT ) co-founder testified privately to

the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is

investigating possible federal mismanagement in the cases

against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and related

issues.

U.S. Representative James Comer, the Republican committee

chairman, asked Gates in a March letter to appear for an

in-person transcribed interview.

Gates hired Jake Greenberg, who was the oversight panel's

chief investigative official until December, to help him prepare

for the appearance, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. A

committee spokesperson told Reuters the panel has not worked

with Greenberg since his departure.

Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida state felony

prostitution charge in 2008 and served 13 months in jail.

Federal prosecutors charged him with sex trafficking of

minors in 2019. Epstein pleaded not guilty to those charges and

died in what was ruled a suicide later that year before his

trial.

Documents released by the Justice Department this year

indicated that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's

2008 prison term to discuss expanding the tech billionaire's

philanthropic efforts.

They also included pictures of Gates posing with females

whose faces are redacted. Gates has previously said the

relationship with Epstein was confined to philanthropy-related

discussions and has said it was a mistake to meet with him.

Gates "took responsibility for his actions" in a February

town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, a

spokesperson for the philanthropic group told Reuters.

Gates' relationship with Epstein has drawn in the Gates

Foundation, which said in April it had begun an external review

into its engagement with the late financier. Emails released in

January by the Justice Department also showed communication

between Epstein and the Gates Foundation's staff.

The House committee's probe includes authorities' handling

of investigations and prosecutions, plea deals, Epstein's death,

failures to combat sex trafficking, ethics concerns and delays

in the release of government files.

The Justice Department's release of millions of internal

documents related to Epstein revealed his ties to many prominent

people in politics, finance, academia and business, including

President Donald Trump, who socialized extensively with Epstein

in the 1990s and 2000s.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, fired by Trump in April,

faced sharp criticism for her handling of the case. Some critics

accused her of trying to shield Trump from scrutiny.

Trump opposed releasing the files until shortly before

Congress overwhelmingly passed a law ordering their release.