The Gates Foundation has commissioned an external investigation of its past engagement with Jeffrey Epstein, CEO Mark Suzman told staff in a memo this week, as billionaire and foundation cofounder Bill Gates prepares to testify before Congress in June about his relationship with the late sex offender.
The memo was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. In a statement the foundation gave the Journal, it said the review was launched in March with help from Gates and the foundation’s independent board members and is expected to deliver an update this summer. It will also examine the foundation’s policies for vetting new philanthropic partnerships, according to the memo. A recent board meeting in London included a session on the impact of the Justice Department’s Epstein files on the foundation, Suzman wrote in the memo.
