WASHINGTON - Bill Gates is expected to testify Wednesday in front of a House panel reviewing materials from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, marking another high-profile individual with past links to the convicted sex offender to provide testimony.

House Oversight Committee members plan to question the Microsoft co-founder in a private session, consistent with prior interviews conducted during this inquiry, with transcripts typically made public afterward.

Committee Chairman Republican Rep. James Comer issued the formal invitation to Gates following multiple references to him in Justice Department records released during the Epstein inquiry.

The released materials feature numerous influential figures from technology, finance, politics and related sectors. While none face accusations of participating in Epstein's criminal acts, several continued or developed ties with him after reports of his misconduct surfaced.

Among the documents are meeting schedules involving Gates and Epstein, exchanged messages regarding charitable initiatives and images showing Gates at gatherings also attended by Epstein.

Records indicate their interactions started in 2011, three years following Epstein's guilty plea for procuring prostitution from a minor, and continued through at least the end of 2014.

Epstein received federal charges in July 2019 for sex trafficking of minors and related conspiracy. Prosecutors described a network of underage victims, some aged 14, abused by Epstein from 2002 to 2005. He died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial.

Gates leads the Gates Foundation and faces no allegations of misconduct tied to Epstein. He has stated their meetings focused solely on philanthropy and described the connection as a significant error in judgment.

Gates and his former spouse Melinda French Gates have both noted that the Epstein association strained their marriage.

The foundation confirmed in February that a limited group of staff met Epstein after he offered to help secure major donations for global health efforts. No joint charitable fund was established and the foundation made no payments to him.

CEO Mark Suzman initiated an independent review in March to assess the organization's prior contacts with Epstein.

Former President Bill Clinton underwent a lengthy closed-door interview in February regarding his own earlier links to Epstein. Clinton flew on Epstein's aircraft occasionally and hosted him at the White House during his presidency.

Clinton reported seeing no indications of Epstein's abuse and ended contact well before the 2008 conviction. He has not been charged with any offenses related to Epstein.

Democratic committee members have called for testimony from President Donald Trump, who also had documented past dealings with Epstein. Republicans maintain they found no proof of improper conduct by Trump in those interactions.