Bill Gates 'turned a blind eye to Jeffrey Epstein's reputation because he thought he could get him a Nobel Peace Prize' - as it's revealed they both attended a 2013 meeting at the home of ex Norwegian Nobel Committee chairman
Bill Gates attended a 2013 meeting in Strasbourg with Jeffrey Epstein at the home of the then chairman of Norway's Nobel Committee, it has been claimed, amid comments from ex-staffers who say the Microsoft founder turned a blind eye to Epstein's reputation because he thought he could help him get the Nobel Peace Prize.
According to Norwegian newspaper DNMagasinet, Epstein and Gates arrived together at the meeting in March 2013. It took place in Strasborug, at the home of former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland and Gates asked for it.
Jagland was the chairman of Norway's Nobel Committee at the time.
Also at the meeting were representatives of IPI - a think tank whose work focuses on healthcare and vaccination. According to the report, Epstein introduced Gates to representatives of IPI.
Since the meeting, The Gates Foundation has given millions to the think tank to help fund, in part, a polio eradication project.
'Bill Gates asked for a meeting as he visited Strasbourg. He was interested in the Council of Europe’s work to safeguard medicines for everyone. The Council of Europe, carries a very important international convention on this issue, and counterfeit medicines are a big problem.
'They came to my Residence with their respective delegations. Bill Gates and Epstein arrived together, followed by the others. I made an introduction on the European system for controlling medicines. After that, the conversation advanced further,' Jagland said.
The meeting in 2013 was revealed this week as former staffers of The Gates Foundation claimed anonymously that Gates turned a blind eye to Epstein's 2010 conviction for child prostitution solicitation, and pursued an acquaintanceship with him because he thought he might help him get the Nobel Peace Prize.
Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein at Epstein's home in 2013. In March that year, Gates and Epstein arrived together at a meeting in Strasbourg at the home of the then chairman of Norway's Nobel Committee
All of the fresh details of Epstein's relationship with Gates and the extent of it have emerged since Gates announced his divorce from his wife Melinda on May 4.
A source told The Daily Beast on Monday: 'We were aware of things that were potential reputational risks for the foundation and the co-chairs, Bill and Melinda.
Thorbjørn Jagland says Gates asked for the meeting to meet people from the Council of Europe
'Even back then, people knew this guy wasn’t squeaky clean,' the person said, referring to Epstein.
'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.
'I think he was ultimately disappointed it didn’t work out.'
Gates met the disgraced, late pedophile in 2011.
Epstein had pitched an investment fund to The Gates Foundation. At the time, he'd already been in prison for soliciting a child prostitute.
It didn't stop Gates from visiting his Manhattan townhouse on multiple occasions and even flying on his private jet. Sources previously cited by The Daily Beast say the association ended in 2013, after Melinda warned her husband against Epstein.
In an email to DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning, a Gates Foundation spokesperson said that Gates never actively pursued a Nobel Peace Prize.
'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.
'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.'
Jagland with the Dalai Lama. At the time of the 2013 meeting, he was the chairman of Norway's Nobel Committee. He says Gates asked for the meeting and he arranged it. Epstein didn't take part in the talks but he introduced Gates to IPI - a think tank
Former staffers of The Gates Foundation said Bill and Melinda knew about Epstein's reputation and his conviction but Bill carried on with the relationship because he though tit could be beneficial philanthropically, and could earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. More details of his relationship with Epstein have emerged since he announced his divorce on May 4
The spokesperson added: 'Multiple high-profile people suggested that Bill Gates meet with Epstein because he made claims of being able to bring billions of dollars into philanthropy based on his status as an agent and advisor to wealthy individuals with respect to their giving strategies.
'Given the prospect of helping catalyze significant increases in charitable giving, Gates met with Epstein and others multiple times to discuss philanthropy and the work of his foundation.
'Although Epstein pursued Gates aggressively, Gates had absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship with Epstein. Gates never socialized with Epstein or attended parties with him.
'It’s become clear that Epstein misrepresented the nature of his meetings with Gates while also working to insert himself behind-the-scenes without Gates’s knowledge. Bill Gates regrets ever meeting with Epstein and recognizes it was an error in judgement to do so.'
It was previously claimed by other unnamed sources that Epstein advised Gates on how to get out of his 'loveless' marriage to Melinda.
'[It’s] not an overstatement. Going to Jeffrey’s was a respite from his marriage. It was a way of getting away from Melinda,' the source said.
The Gates Foundation denied the claim as categorically false.
The meeting took place at Jagland's home in Strasbourg (above). Epstein and Gates arrived together
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