According to a new report, convicted trafficker Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates with proof of an affair.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Epstein learned of Gates’ affair with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova and allegedly later used that information to blackmail him, threatening to expose the affair if Gates did not do business with him.
Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed Bill Gates over an affair with a Russian bridge player.
A report by @WSJ revealed emails sent by Epstein to Gates threatening to expose a 2010 affair with Russian woman Mila Antonova if Gates would not invest in a multi-billion dollar charitable… pic.twitter.com/H9G8QUE2ob
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 21, 2023
Gates reportedly met Antonova in 2010, when he was in his mid-50s and she was in her 20s. Epstein met the Russian bridge player in 2013 and decided to pay for her to attend a software coding school.
After Antonova graduated, Epstein reportedly sent an email to Gates demanding to be reimbursed for the cost of her schooling. At the time, Epstein was attempting to recruit Gates to a project he was working on — a multibillion-dollar charitable fund that he was trying to create with JPMorgan Chase, which would have paid the convicted trafficker millions of dollars in fees. Epstein reportedly hoped that the charity would help rehabilitate his image after he had pled guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008.
According to sources who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, Epstein implied in his email that he could expose Gates’ affair if the tech billionaire cut ties with him.
A spokesperson for Gates responded to the report, confirming that Epstein had tried to “leverage” the affair while claiming that the blackmail was unsuccessful.
“Mr. Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes. Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr. Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr. Gates,” the spokesperson said, adding that Gates had never reimbursed Epstein for Antonova’s schooling.
While Gates has repeatedly tried to distance himself from Epstein, denying any sort of shady dealings between the two, reports show that the Microsoft co-founder had more than a half dozen meetings scheduled with Epstein, beginning in 2011. These meetings included visits to Epstein’s private residence in New York.
Bill Gates’ Ex-Wife Melinda on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. pic.twitter.com/YwBdWrneVo
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 21, 2023
Meanwhile, Antonova claimed that she was unaware of who Epstein was when they met.
“I had no idea that he was a criminal or had any ulterior motive,” she said. “I just thought he was a successful businessman and wanted to help. I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did.”
While refusing to comment on her alleged affair with Gates, Antonova did confirm that Epstein had paid for her education.
“Epstein agreed to pay and he paid directly to the school. Nothing was exchanged. I don’t know why he did that,” she said. “When I asked, he said something like, he was wealthy and wanted to help people when he could.”
