Bill Gates reportedly brushed aside Jeffrey Epstein’s 2010 child prostitution solicitation conviction because he believed the embattled financier could help him win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Microsoft co-founder arrived with Epstein to a March 2013 meeting at the home of then-Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjørn Jagland in Strasbourg, France, Norwegian newspaper DNMagasinet reported in October. The meeting drew renewed attention on Tuesday as an anonymous Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ex-employee told The Daily Beast that Bill turned a blind eye to Epstein’s reputation as he allegedly pursued the Nobel Prize.

‘He thought that Jeffrey would be able to help him, that he would know the right people, or some kind of way to massage things, so he could get the Nobel Peace Prize,’ the source said.

Gates Foundation staffers at the time ‘were aware of things that were potential reputational risks for the foundation and the co-chairs, Bill and Melinda’, the source said, because ‘even back then, people knew this guy (Epstein) wasn’t squeaky clean’.

The source said of Bill: ‘I think he was ultimately disappointed it didn’t work out.’

A Gates Foundation spokesperson denied to the DailyMail.com on Tuesday that Bill actively pursued the prize awarded to those who ‘have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind’.

‘While a Nobel Prize would certainly be a great honor, it is false to state that Bill Gates was “obsessed” with the honor, set it as a goal, or campaigned for it in any way,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If Epstein had a plan or motivation to insert himself into any processes related to any awards or honors on behalf of Gates, neither Gates nor anyone he works with was aware of his intentions and they would have rejected any offers for assistance.’ 

The spokesperson added that ‘Gates met with Epstein and others multiple times to discuss philanthropy and the work of his foundation’ and that ‘Epstein pursued Gates aggressively’.

However, ‘Gates had absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship with Epstein,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Gates never socialized with Epstein or attended parties with him.’

Details on Bill’s relationship with Epstein, who killed himself behind bars in August 2019 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial, have emerged in light of Bill and Melinda’s joint announcement earlier this month that they are ending their 27-year marriage.

Melinda reportedly met with divorce lawyers in October 2019, around the time that a New York Times story revealed Bill had met Epstein. According to a Daily Beast report on Monday, Melinda was irritated with Bill going to meetings at Epstein’s New York City mansion that had a ‘men’s club’ atmosphere.

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