Bill and Melinda's meeting with Epstein, previously undisclosed, took place on September 20, 2013, the same day that the couple had a public appearance in New York to accept the the Lasker Bloomberg Public Service Award at the Pierre Hotel.
At the time, Epstein had already been convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida. It was several years later that he was federally charged with sex trafficking, and died behind bars in 2019.
Sources told the Daily Beast that Gates' friendship with Epstein, who cultivated wealthy and powerful friends, still haunts Melinda to this day.
It's unclear whether Melinda had concerns about Epstein's prior conviction, or merely disliked him.
In March 2013, Gates flew on Epstein's private plane - the aircraft that has been dubbed the 'Lolita Express' because it was allegedly used to traffic young girls.
Bridgitt Arnold, a spokesperson for Gates, told the Times that Gates was not aware that the plane belonged to Epstein.
Arnold told the Times that Gates was introduced to Epstein by 'high-profile people.'
'Bill Gates regrets ever meeting with Epstein and recognizes it was an error in judgment to do so,' Arnold said.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9552613/Melinda-Gates-warned-Bill-association-Jeffrey-Epstein.html