The Gates Foundation has announced governance reforms following an independent review of its past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. The review confirmed the foundation engaged with Epstein between 2011 and 2014 on a proposed donor-advised fund that was ultimately abandoned and a grant (of an undisclosed-amount) to the International Peace Institute supporting polio eradication after internal diligence. Investigators found no evidence Epstein received foundation funds or that the foundation knew of his criminal activities. The Board approved stronger partner vetting, conflict-of-interest safeguards, risk escalation procedures, and confidentiality controls to strengthen oversight and rebuild trust.
The report also concluded that Bill Gates “was aware of reputational concerns related to Epstein’s prior conviction and sentencing for a sex-related offense when he began conversations with him in 2011.”
Additional reporting on the Gates-Epstein report includes analysis from the Guardian, the New York Times, the Associated Press, and Reuters.
