The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has authorized an external review to examine its past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, amid increasing scrutiny of Bill Gates’s association with Epstein. The Seattle-based philanthropy, one of the largest in the world, confirmed on Tuesday that the foundation’s board, including Mr. Gates, approved the review earlier this year.

The foundation disclosed in a statement that CEO Mark Suzman commissioned the outside assessment to evaluate the organization’s prior engagement with Epstein and to review current policies related to vetting and establishing philanthropic partnerships. The review is currently underway, with an update expected to be provided to the board and management this summer. The foundation has not specified who is conducting the review, when it formally began, or if the findings will be made public.

Mr. Gates and several of his former advisers have been referenced repeatedly in newly released documents connected to the Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein. These documents have intensified public and media scrutiny of Mr. Gates’s interactions with Epstein, which reportedly persisted after Epstein’s 2008 criminal conviction. In response to growing controversy, Mr. Gates issued an apology to foundation employees during an internal all-hands meeting earlier this year. Additionally, the foundation issued a statement in February expressing regret that any of its staff had interacted with Epstein.

The release of millions of pages of emails related to Epstein has prompted broader questions about the foundation’s relationship with him and has brought unwanted attention to its prominent role in global health initiatives. In February, Mr. Gates canceled a scheduled high-profile speech in India amid the heightened scrutiny.

Despite the mounting pressure, Mr. Gates remains chair of the foundation’s board. The controversy surrounding his ties to Epstein shows no signs of abating, with Mr. Gates expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee in June as part of their ongoing investigation into Epstein.

The foundation’s decision to undertake an external review marks an effort to address concerns over its past associations and to reinforce its policies moving forward. The organization’s leadership has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability as the inquiry proceeds.