Warren Buffett skips donation to Gates Foundation amid Epstein review, WSJ reports

Warren Buffett is skipping his usual mid-year multibillion-dollar donation to the Gates Foundation as he waits ​to see the findings of a review by the ‌foundation of its ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The foundation has been mired in controversy ​due to Chairman Bill Gates’ association with Epstein. A ​release of emails in January by the US Justice ⁠Department also showed communication between Epstein and the Gates Foundation’s ​staff.

Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review  to assess past ​foundation engagement with Epstein. The findings are expected in the summer.

Buffett is delaying his donation decision until later in the year, possibly until when ​he puts out his Thanksgiving letter, the WSJ report said, ​citing people familiar with Buffett’s plans.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. ‌Berkshire ⁠Hathaway and the Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.

‘Epstein files and the moral crisis in US’

Buffett, the 95-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, has in the last two decades donated more than $47 billion ​of the conglomerate’s ​stock to the ⁠Gates Foundation.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates saw his reputation tarnished following the Department of Justice’s release ​of files about Epstein in February.

Bill Gates admits affairs but denies involvement in Epstein crimes

Gates, 70, has ​not been ⁠accused of any crimes.

He has repeatedly expressed regret for having anything to do with Epstein and has denied spending time ⁠with victims ​of Epstein’s sexual abuse, saying he ​never witnessed criminal conduct by Epstein.