SEATTLE, April 22 -- The Gates Foundation opened an external review earlier this year into its engagement with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the philanthropic group said yesterday.

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.

"Early this year, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review to assess past foundation engagement with Epstein, and our current policies for vetting and developing new philanthropic partnerships," the foundation said in a statement.

"That review is underway, and we expect t...