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CASE FILEREF: JOI-ITO
SUBJECTTIMELINEEVIDENCEMEDIA
Terminated / Resigned

Joi Ito

CATEGORY:academicALIASES:Joichi ItoDOCUMENTS:25MENTIONS:0LAST CHECKED:February 21, 2026

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Joi Ito (Joichi Ito), director of the MIT Media Lab, resigned on September 7, 2019, from his directorship, professorship, and all employment at MIT, as well as from multiple board positions (New York Times Company Board, MacArthur Foundation Board, Knight Foundation Board), following a Ronan Farrow investigation in The New Yorker that exposed his concealed financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ito had personally accepted over $1.2 million from Epstein for private investment funds and directed $525,000 in Epstein donations to the Media Lab. The lab's staff actively concealed Epstein's involvement, referring to him as 'Voldemort' or 'he who must not be named.' Epstein had leveraged Ito's connections to solicit at least $7.5 million total for the Media Lab from other wealthy donors. In the 2025–2026 releases of Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Ito is referenced again: LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman confirmed he visited Epstein's island 'with Joi Ito, the Director of the MIT Media Lab, who had asked me to help MIT fundraise from Epstein.' Epstein's own correspondence reportedly described Ito as 'the most connected to the tech world person in the states' and 'one of us.'

Determination Timeline

TERMINATED / RESIGNEDSep 7, 2019

Document References (25)

25 documents on file

Media Coverage (14)

Epstein Library

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Official DOJ repository of released Epstein files, including correspondence referencing Joi Ito's role in Epstein's tech network.

Jeffrey Epstein files reveal deep tech ties, from Musk to Gates

NBC NEWS·Feb 1, 2026

Recent DOJ Epstein file releases reference Joi Ito. Epstein's correspondence reportedly described Ito as 'the most connected to the tech world person in the sta…

Massive trove of Epstein files released by DOJ, including 3 million documents and photos

CBS NEWS·Jan 1, 2026

DOJ released over 3 million documents responsive to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, including correspondence referencing Joi Ito and his connections to Epst…

Here are all the new Epstein files and emails that have been released so far

AXIOS·Nov 12, 2025

Newly released Epstein files contain correspondence involving Joi Ito and his connections to Epstein's network, including discussions about meetings and fundrai…

Director Of MIT's Media Lab Steps Down Over Ties To Disgraced Financier

NPR·Sep 9, 2019

Follow-up reporting on Joi Ito's resignation from MIT Media Lab and multiple board positions over concealed financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Director of MIT media lab Joichi Ito resigns after Jeffrey Epstein ties revealed

SLATE·Sep 7, 2019

Joichi Ito resigned as director of MIT's Media Lab on September 7, 2019, following The New Yorker's investigation. Ito accepted $525,000 for the Media Lab and $…

Director of MIT's Media Lab steps down over Epstein ties

PBS NEWSHOUR·Sep 7, 2019

Ito stepped down from MIT Media Lab and also from New York Times Company Board and MacArthur Foundation Board. Epstein's name was concealed in donations by refe…

MIT Media Lab director resigns after criticism over financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein

NBC NEWS·Sep 7, 2019

Ito resigned from MIT Media Lab directorship after accepting $525,000 for the lab and $1.2 million for his private investment funds from Epstein. MIT President …

MIT Media Lab chief resigns after new revelations about ties to Jeffrey Epstein

BOSTON GLOBE·Sep 7, 2019

MIT Media Lab director resigned after revelations about concealing Epstein contributions. The lab recorded his contributions as coming from anonymous sources.

MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito Resigns Amid New Jeffrey Epstein Revelations

THE DAILY BEAST·Sep 7, 2019

Joi Ito resigned as MIT Media Lab director amid new revelations about his financial ties to Epstein, stepping down from directorship and multiple board position…

MIT Media Lab Director Resigns Over Reported Epstein Ties

NPR·Sep 7, 2019

Ito stated: 'I think that it is best that I resign as director of the media lab and as a professor and employee of the Institute, effective immediately.' The la…

Joichi Ito: MIT Media Lab director resigns after Jeffrey Epstein investigation

CBS NEWS·Sep 7, 2019

Ito accepted substantial contributions from Epstein: $525,000 directed to the Media Lab and $1.2 million for his private investment funds. Epstein helped secure…

Joichi Ito Steps Down As MIT Media Lab Director Over Ties To Jeffrey Epstein

NPR·Sep 7, 2019

Joichi Ito stepped down as MIT Media Lab director on September 7, 2019, following a New Yorker exposé. Ito accepted over $500,000 from Epstein for the Media Lab…

MIT Media Lab director resigns over financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein

AXIOS·Sep 7, 2019

Joi Ito resigned as MIT Media Lab director over financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein after a New Yorker investigation exposed the concealed relationship.

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