Key facts
- Rep. Jamie Raskin demanded a criminal investigation into Leon Botstein's links with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Botstein resigned from all Bard College roles, including professorship and music program positions.
- An email from Botstein to Epstein reportedly asked if a young woman was "for me, or are you keeping her for yourself."
- Botstein stated that any assertion of his involvement in Epstein's criminal behavior is wrong.
- Bard College's board of trustees is conducting a full review of the allegations.
- An independent review found Botstein's interactions with Epstein could have alerted him to Epstein's abuse.
Leon Botstein, the former president of Bard College, has resigned from all his positions at the institution following a call for a criminal investigation into his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein by a prominent Democratic lawmaker. Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, cited an email from Botstein to Epstein as evidence warranting an investigation.
Botstein, who led Bard College for 50 years, stated that any assertion of his knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's criminal behavior is false. However, he submitted his resignation to protect Bard College from any potential distraction or risk associated with the allegations.
The controversy centers on an email, reportedly sent by Botstein to Epstein in May 2014, which inquired about a young foreign model and aspiring vocalist. Lawmakers claim Epstein was grooming and trafficking this individual, referred to as Jane Doe, and used his relationship with Botstein to convince her of career prospects.
Bard College's board of trustees chairman, Brandon Weber, confirmed that the college is undertaking a full review of the allegations and cooperating with the congressional investigation. The board unanimously accepted Botstein's resignation. An independent review commissioned by Bard's board previously found that Botstein's frequent interactions with Epstein could have alerted him to Epstein's abuse.