Former Microsoft executive’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein comes under scrutiny

Journalists are uncovering new details from recently released files concerning Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

Seattle Times business reporter Alex Halverson has written about connections between Epstein and former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold.

He talked to KUOW’s Kim Malcolm about his reporting.

RELATED: Powerful people, random redactions: 4 things to know about the latest Epstein files

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Kim Malcolm: Nathan Myhrvold retired from Microsoft over 25 years ago. Tell us about his involvement in the local tech and business scene since then.

Alex Halverson: Myhrvold was pretty high up at Microsoft; He was chief technology officer. Since leaving there, he started a firm called Intellectual Ventures based out of Bellevue. It’s an investment firm that specializes in patenting and intellectual property. He also co-founded a company called TerraPower, which focuses on renewable energy, with his former boss, Bill Gates. And he's been involved in a lot of other scientific funding over the past 25 years. He also fancies himself to be a wildlife photographer and has written cookbooks.

When it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, this isn't the first time Myhrvold’s name has come up. What has Myhrvold said in the past about their relationship?

Through his spokespeople, Myhrvold has said he and Epstein both attended the same TED Talks, and they would discuss and meet over matters of scientific funding, which Jeffrey Epstein was involved with. They have not said he had any relationship with Epstein past that.

I know you've gone through some of the latest files that have come out in public, and you found notes between Epstein and Myhrvold. What stood out to you?

What really stood out to me is they're very chummy in tone. There are references, specifically in emails between Myhrvold and Epstein that don’t involve their assistants, using language that is sexually explicit in a very jokey manner. There's one reference when Epstein is planning to go to Intellectual Ventures and visit a lab. Nathan Myhrvold makes a suggestion [to] “bring her,” and lists a female name. We have no way of knowing who this female they're referring to is. And then Epstein replies, “I'm going to leave her there.” It's all very jokey.

These email exchanges would seem to suggest that Myhrvold wasn't completely honest before about his connections with Epstein. Has he responded yet to this new release of documents?

We've reached out to Myhrvold and his spokespeople three times since September. One was after the initial release of records from Congress. Myhrvold’s name was included in that notorious birthday book compiled for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. We also found later records that showed he was listed as a passenger on flight logs for Jeffrey Epstein's private plane, and then in this latest trove of records. Each time, they've given us the same sort of statement. It basically says they knew each other through TED Talks, shared an interest in scientific funding, and Myhrvold regrets he ever met Epstein. They've left it at that, and they've been pretty consistent about that.

I'll just underline that being associated with someone who's been accused of a crime does not necessarily make you a criminal. But have you heard of any of Epstein's victims accusing Myhrvold of any unlawful behavior?

We have not, no, and there's not even necessarily anything in the emails between the two that suggests that Myhrvold had been accused of any crimes.

Nathan Myhrvold is a very prominent figure here with extensive business ties. Have you seen or heard of any repercussions that may be happening in the wake of these new details about his connections with Epstein?

I have not seen anything. I've talked to a couple people at TerraPower. They say it’s a topic of discussion among workers. He's still listed as CEO of Intellectual Ventures, and he's still the vice chairman of TerraPower’s board, which is also based in Bellevue. Bill Gates, who surfaced in these records as well, is also still listed as the chair of TerraPower’s board. As far as I can tell, there haven't been any repercussions or any sort of fallout from these records.

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