Bill Gates says Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed him at hearing

Testifying to the US House Oversight Committee, tech billionaire Bill Gates says sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was blackmailing him with information about his extramarital affairs.

He calls his continued interaction with the convicted sex offender a "grave error in judgement."

Microsoft co-founder, billionaire Bill Gates was questioned Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee about his relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

As he arrives at the hearing in Washington, Gates iterates in a prepared statement his appearance was voluntary and he hopes his testimony will help lawmakers "find justice for the victims."

He says his extramarital affairs "had nothing to do" with his interactions with Epstein and the late financier tried to blackmail him.

"Based on what has been released in the files, Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities -- in addition to many lies that he layered on top -- to pressure me to re-engage with him."

Gates acknowledges he "should never have met with Epstein in the first place," but that he "never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct."

He also says his interactions with Epstein was to illicit donations for his foundation.

Representative Robert Garcia, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, says Gates was cooperative and shared names of those in Epstein's circle.

Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury says Gates acknowledged maintaining contact with Epstein because he believed the "narrow relationship" was "an acceptable means to access wealthy donors."

Democratic Representative Emily Randall says Gates claims to not have witnessed abuse during his time spent with Epstein.