Bard College Opens Review of Its President’s Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Bard College announced Thursday that it had launched an independent review of its president Leon Botstein's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of Department of Justice documents revealing a closer relationship between the two than previously acknowledged. The review comes amid renewed scrutiny of Epstein's connections with prominent figures after a trove of emails and other communications became public through ongoing legal proceedings. Bard College's board of trustees stated they take these matters seriously and are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in leadership during this review process. The newly revealed documents suggest Botstein maintained more extensive contact with Epstein than the college had previously disclosed, raising questions about the institution's vetting processes and oversight of its presidential connections. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had previously been associated with Bard College through donations and advisory relationships, though the full extent of those connections remained unclear until recently.