On Friday, the US Justice Department unveiled a substantial collection of documents linked to its probe into financier Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting accusations involving Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, which include claims about a purported sexually transmitted infection.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the department is making available over three million pages of documents, in addition to more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. He mentioned that these files, now accessible on the department's website, comprise some of the millions of pages that officials previously stated were not included in the initial release in December.
Blanche stated that the release on Friday signifies the conclusion of an extensive process of identifying and reviewing documents to guarantee transparency for the American public. He attributed the delay to the necessity of safeguarding the identities of over 1,000 purported victims.
Emails Linked to Epstein Focus on Gates
The recently disclosed documents contain draft emails seemingly authored by Epstein, centering on Gates. These emails allege that Gates tried to hide an STD from his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, after purported sexual interactions with women referred to as 'Russian girls.'
Epstein seemed to be asserting these claims in a preliminary statement representing Boris Nikolic, who has been a long-time science adviser to Gates.
The draft alleges participation in activities that include supposedly assisting Gates in acquiring drugs 'to cope with the aftermath of sexual encounters with Russian women.'
The email stated, "I have been pressured and mistakenly agreed to engage in activities ranging from morally questionable to ethically dubious, and have been repeatedly asked to do things that verge on or potentially cross into illegal territory. This includes assisting Bill in obtaining drugs to cope with the aftermath of encounters with Russian women, facilitating his illicit affairs with married women, and being asked to supply Adderall for bridge tournaments. I feel it is my responsibility to acknowledge my moral shortcomings, seek forgiveness, and move forward with my life."
Suspected Concealment and Concerns Over Divorce
In another draft email directed to Gates, Epstein, posing as Nikolic, accused the billionaire of trying to orchestrate a "cover up" to safeguard his public reputation. The draft claims Gates requested antibiotics to be administered to Melinda without her awareness and encouraged the removal of emails mentioning a supposed STD.
The draft stated, " implore me to please delete the emails regarding your STD, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda..."
The draft goes on to warn of damage if Melinda were to file for a public divorce, saying it could hurt a pledge programme by billions of dollars. "I am concerned that if Melinda decides as you said to file for a public divorce, the damage done to the pledge programme alone would result in billions of dollars of money no longer being used for social good as Im sure that some wives and husbands would feel free to retreat from their commitments."
The document release also revisits claims that Epstein threatened to reveal Gates' supposed affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova in 2017. Previous reports indicate that this threat emerged after Gates refused to join a charitable fund that Epstein had initiated with JP Morgan Chase.
Gates Refutes Claims
A representative for Gates firmly denied the allegations in the documents, describing them as "utterly ridiculous and entirely untrue." The spokesperson stated, "These documents only reveal Epstein's frustration over not having a continuous association with Gates and the extent he would go to ensnare and slander."
Earlier document disclosures have revealed Epstein's connections with business figures like Bill Gates, celebrities such as filmmaker Woody Allen, scholars, and politicians, including Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton.
Gates and Melinda French Gates were wed from 1994 until 2021. Melinda has mentioned that Gates' affairs outside of marriage and his connection with Epstein contributed to their separation, although she has not elaborated further.
In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein, a rich American financier, passed away in a New York prison as he awaited trial for federal sex-trafficking charges related to minors. His death was officially determined to be a suicide.