Bill Gates addressed his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein during a town hall meeting with Gates Foundation employees, according to a statement released by the foundation. The statement indicates Gates “took responsibility for his actions” related to these ties.

Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had connections to numerous prominent figures. Gates previously admitted to meeting with Epstein on multiple occasions, acknowledging that those meetings were a mistake. These meetings occurred between 2011 and 2014.

The Gates Foundation acknowledged the concerns raised by employees regarding Gates’ interactions with Epstein. The foundation has been under increased scrutiny regarding these relationships, particularly following recent media reports detailing the nature and frequency of those meetings. The town hall meeting appears to be an effort to address these concerns and provide transparency to foundation staff.

While the foundation statement doesn’t elaborate on what specific actions Gates is taking responsibility for, it signals an attempt to move forward and address the controversy surrounding his associations with Epstein. The foundation continues to focus on its philanthropic goals related to global health, poverty alleviation, and education.