Leon Botstein, the longtime president of Bard College in New York, announced his retirement on Friday. The decision comes months after revelations that he had a deeper relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.
Key Takeaways
Bard College President Leon Botstein announced his retirement after an independent review revealed deeper ties to Jeffrey Epstein than previously known. The review found that while Botstein did nothing illegal, he minimized and misrepresented his relationship with Epstein.
- Leon Botstein retiring from Bard presidency at the end of June
- Independent review reveals deeper Epstein ties than previously disclosed
- Review finds Botstein minimized and misrepresented his relationship with Epstein
- Funds associated with Epstein to be directed to organizations supporting survivors of sexual harm
According to CBS News, an independent review by WilmerHale found that Botstein did not do anything illegal but made decisions reflecting poorly on his leadership. The review stated that in public statements and communications with the Bard community, Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in describing his relationship with Epstein.
The Guardian reported that the WilmerHale investigation found Botstein had about 25 visits to Epstein's townhouse, a two-day visit to Little St James Island, and hosted Epstein at Bard on multiple occasions. The review also noted that Botstein accepted fees under a consulting agreement with an Epstein entity in 2016 but did not disclose the agreement to the board.
In his retirement announcement, Botstein did not mention Epstein by name but referenced the investigation, stating it was prudent to wait for its completion. He plans to remain on Bard's faculty as a teacher and musician.
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