Bill Gates talks about traveling with Epstein: I had two extramarital ties with Russian women.

The statements were made during an internal meeting with his foundation staff, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Gates, 70, confirmed that he had flown in private with Epstein and had spent time with him in the US and abroad, but denied any involvement in illegal activities.

“I didn't do anything illegal. I saw nothing illegal. To be clear, I've never spent time with victims or women around him,” He used to say.

He added that he had two extramarital ties: one with a Russian bridge player, Mila Antonova, and another with a Russian nuclear physicist, whom he had known through professional activities.

According to the report, Epstein had earlier threatened Gates with a relationship with Antonova. In a 2013 email to his scientific adviser, Boris Nikolic, Epstein claimed that Gates risked his public reputation because of extramarital ties.

In another email, allegedly sent by Epstein himself by appearing as Nikolic, a “marital dispute” was mentioned between Gates and Melinda, as well as other personal claims. Nikolic has stated that the e-mails were not written by him or at his request.

Gates admitted having met Epstein in New York, Germany, France, and Washington, but stressed that he had never visited the private island of finance.

He also acknowledged that his former wife had always been skeptical about his ties with Epstein. For credit, she was always somewhat skeptical about the Epstein case,” said Gates.

During his meeting with the staff, Gates apologized for the impact this issue has had on his foundation's reputation. I apologize to the people involved in this because of my mistake. It is entirely contrary to the values and goals of the” Foundation, he said.

Earlier, Gates had named it “Naitivity” the decision to spend time with Epstein, saying he thought it would help him in the global health philanthropy, but it actually resulted in “a big mistake”.