Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told lawmakers on Wednesday that meeting disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment,” as he testified voluntarily behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee.

 Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place” and stressed that he never witnessed or had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.

US lawmakers say Epstein file release falls short

 He was introduced to Epstein through people involved in his professional and philanthropic work and initially believed Epstein could help mobilise billions of dollars for global health initiatives and he ended the relationship in 2014 after concluding that Epstein could not deliver on those promises, Gates added.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said Gates was not accused of any wrongdoing and that the inquiry was focused on justice for Epstein’s victims and understanding government failures.

Documents reviewed by lawmakers include meeting records, emails related to philanthropic projects and photographs showing Gates and Epstein at the same events. Their association began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting prostitution from a minor, and continued until at least late 2014.

Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of girls and has previously described the relationship as “a huge mistake.” Both Gates and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, have said the association created strain in their marriage.

The Gates Foundation acknowledged earlier this year that a small number of employees met Epstein because of his claims that he could attract major philanthropic support for global health projects. The foundation said it never established a charitable fund with Epstein and made no payments to him.