Melinda Gates Tells Interviewer ‘epstein Could Have Been Stopped’ Days After Her Ex Testified To Congressional Panel

Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates claimed Jeffrey Epstein “could person been stopped” successful an question and reply published aft lawmakers questioned her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, complete his ties to nan dormant activity offender.

In a wide-ranging question and reply pinch The Guardian, French Gates deed retired astatine nan U.S. justness system, claiming it “didn’t do its job” erstwhile it came to Epstein, who died successful jailhouse 7 years ago aft prosecutors said he sexually exploited and abused dozens of underage girls.

“The justness strategy didn’t do its job. It did not do its job. Full stop. This could person been stopped,” French Gates told nan newspaper, referring to Epstein and his crimes.

“I deliberation that’s why, finally, we are having a reckoning successful society. If we don’t want children to beryllium harmed, nan justness strategy has to work,” she added.

The interview, published Saturday, comes conscionable days aft Gates testified astir Epstein during a closed-door House Oversight Committee hearing. He told lawmakers Epstein attempted to blackmail him pinch definitive specifications astir his individual life, including his extramarital affairs.

The tech mogul said Epstein “sought to build an image of legitimacy astir himself, utilizing connections to reputable and powerful group to deflect scrutiny and effort to rehabilitate his reputation,” according to a transcript of his opening remarks.

Gates besides emphasized that he “never witnessed nor had immoderate denotation that Epstein was engaged successful ongoing criminal conduct.”

French Gates said she met Epstein 1 time, and nan acquisition gave her nightmares, according to The Guardian.

“Have you ever successful your life been astir personification that you conscionable cognize is evil? ... We request to perceive to our feelings astir people,” she told nan newspaper.

“He was an abhorrent quality being, a horrid man, and truthful successful these situations – this is simply a difficult taxable for me, you request to cognize that – my bosom goes retired to nan young girls.”

Now, French Gates is advocating for much women to return connected positions of power, and has precocious committed $215 cardinal toward backing women’s healthcare initiatives, according to The Guardian.

“When women measurement into their afloat power, we person a different lens connected society. We are nan bedrock of society. We are nan bedrock of nan family,” she said.

French Gates divided from her now-ex hubby successful 2021, pursuing 27 years of marriage. Three years later, she stepped down from nan Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, citing a desire to “move guardant into nan adjacent section of my philanthropy.”