A new report claims that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein believed he had control over Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and attempted to indirectly extort him for an investment in one of Epstein’s ventures.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates had an affair with a Russian bridge player named Mila Antonova, and that Epstein alluded to the affair in 2017 while attempting to convince Gates to invest in a fund he was attempting to establish at the time. The Journal said it was told the tale by “people familiar with the matter.”

Later in 2019, Epstein was apprehended on sex trafficking allegations and died in jail while awaiting prosecution. His passing was classified as a suicide.

Antonova declined to discuss Gates.

She claimed to have encountered Epstein but was unaware of his activities.

“I had no idea that he was a criminal or had any ulterior motive. I just thought he was a successful businessman and wanted to help,” she said, adding “I am disgusted with Epstein and what he did.”

In response to the Journal’s allegations, a Gates representative issued a statement.

“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 representative said.

The Journal reported that in 2010, Antonova said of her bridge match against Gates, “I didn’t beat him, but I tried to kick him with my leg.”

According to the Journal, Gates adviser Boris Nikolic introduced Antonova to Epstein in an effort to launch an online business teaching people how to play bridge.

More on this story via The Western Journal:

“I deeply regret that I ever met Epstein. His crimes were despicable. I never saw anything like his illegal behavior. My heart goes out to his victims and their families,” he said.

Antonova and Nikolic met Epstein in November 2013. She was seeking $500,000, but Epstein did not invest. The next year, the Journal reported, she briefly stayed at an apartment Epstein owned. CONTINUE READING…