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Leon Botstein resigns from all Bard College roles after Democrat calls for criminal investigation into Epstein emails

Congressman Jamie Raskin cites email in which Botstein reportedly asked Epstein about a young woman: 'for me, or are you keeping her for yourself'

By LineZotpaper
Published
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Leon Botstein has resigned from all Bard College-affiliated positions, including his professorship and roles in its music programs, after a top Democratic lawmaker called for a criminal investigation into an email he sent to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The email, uncovered by congressional investigators, reportedly shows Botstein asking Epstein about a young woman: 'for me, or are you keeping her for yourself.' Botstein denies any knowledge of Epstein's criminal behavior.

Brandon Weber, chair of Bard College's board of trustees, announced Wednesday evening that the college had received additional communications from Congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House judiciary committee leading a congressional investigation into Botstein's relationship with Epstein. Weber said Bard is undertaking 'a full review' of the allegations in Raskin's letter and is cooperating with the committee. The executive committee of the board voted unanimously to accept Botstein's resignation.

Botstein, who led Bard for 50 years and recently stepped down as president, said in a statement: 'Any assertion that I knew of or was involved in Epstein's criminal behavior is wrong.' He said he submitted his resignation to protect the institution from 'any distraction'.

The latest controversy centers on an email tied to a young foreign model and aspiring vocalist, referred to as Jane Doe, who Democrats say was being groomed by Epstein throughout 2014. In a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, Raskin and Representative Madeleine Dean said records in the Epstein files indicate Epstein was offering the woman advice and help with her plans to attend school and develop her career in the U.S.

Botstein has faced intense scrutiny since the release earlier this year of the Epstein files, which revealed a friendly relationship between him and Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges. The revelations, including that Botstein once visited Epstein's island, contributed to his decision to step down as president.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Botstein's long tenure at a prominent liberal arts college raises questions about institutional oversight and complicity with powerful figures.
  • The Epstein case continues to yield new revelations, showing ongoing efforts to investigate associates.
  • The call for a criminal investigation by a senior Democrat signals potential legal consequences beyond congressional scrutiny.

Background

Leon Botstein served as president of Bard College for 50 years, making him one of the longest-serving college presidents in the U.S. The release of the Epstein files earlier this year revealed extensive communications between Botstein and Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Botstein had already stepped down as president prior to this latest development, but maintained other roles at the college until this week.

Key Perspectives

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and allies: They have evidence of a disturbing email exchange and are demanding a criminal investigation to determine whether Botstein was involved in or facilitated Epstein's trafficking operations. Leon Botstein: He denies any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, describing the allegations as false. He resigned to prevent the controversy from harming Bard College. Bard College: The institution says it is conducting a full review of the allegations and cooperating with the congressional committee. The board accepted Botstein's resignation to distance the college from the scandal.

What to Watch

  • Whether the Department of Justice or FBI opens a formal criminal investigation based on Raskin's letter.
  • Additional emails or documents from the Epstein files that may further implicate or exonerate Botstein.
  • Potential fallout for Bard College, including donor reactions and accreditation reviews.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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