Leon Botstein
Case Notes
Bard College president; Epstein flew 'girls' to campus by helicopter in 2013
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, is under investigation by the college's board of trustees regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Botstein received approximately $150,000 in personal funds from Epstein in 2016, and Epstein donated $75,000 to Bard College in 2012 plus provided 66 laptops. The Bard College board hired the law firm WilmerHale in February 2026 to conduct an independent review of Botstein's communications with Epstein, financial contributions connected to Epstein, and related matters. Newly released Epstein files show Botstein engaging warmly with Epstein over music, literature, travel and antique watches, including a 2013 message where Botstein wrote "I greatly cherish this new friendship and I have real admiration for how you go about doing things" — five years after Epstein's first conviction for procuring a child for prostitution. Botstein has publicly stated his interactions with Epstein were solely for fundraising purposes and called Epstein "a truly evil man."
Determination Timeline
Bard College board of trustees hired WilmerHale law firm to conduct independent investigation into 'the full scope of communications' between Botstein and Epstein, as well as financial contributions and related matters.
Leon Botstein issued a letter to the Bard College community denying friendship with Epstein and characterizing him as 'not my friend; he was a prospective donor.' Botstein sought to distance himself from the relationship.
Weeks after the Miami Herald's report on Epstein's crimes, Botstein wrote to Epstein expressing hope he was 'holding up as well as can be expected' and referencing support Epstein had shown the college.
Botstein exchanged emails with Epstein regarding Epstein's attendance at Bard College for an opera. Botstein wrote expressing he 'greatly cherish[es] this new friendship' and has 'admiration for how you go about doing things.'
Leon Botstein was scheduled to travel to Jeffrey Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, with billionaire Leon Black. Trip resulted in a $250,000 donation from Black to Bard College.
Jeffrey Epstein made an unsolicited $75,000 gift to Bard High School Early College, initiating contact with Leon Botstein. Botstein states he pursued the relationship for fundraising purposes.
Leon Botstein denied any friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, stating their interactions were solely for soliciting donations to Bard College and calling Epstein a truly evil man.
Document References (50)
Media Coverage (11)
Bard College hires law firm to investigate communications between President and Epstein
Bard College's Board of Trustees has hired an outside law firm to investigate communications between President Leon Botstein and convicted sex offender Jeffrey …
Jeffrey Epstein Transferred Thousands of Dollars to Noam Chomsky, Leon Botstein: Report
Jeffrey Epstein transferred thousands of dollars to Leon Botstein and others. Botstein said he received $150,000 from Epstein in 2016 after being placed on the …
College fundraising faces scrutiny after latest batch of Epstein files
College fundraising practices face scrutiny following the Epstein files release, with Bard College and Leon Botstein prominently featured. Botstein received $15…
Bard College Opens Review on President Leon Botstein's Alleged Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
The college has retained an outside law firm, WilmerHale, to investigate Botstein's alleged connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Bard Opens Investigation Into Botstein Ties to Epstein
Bard College has opened an 'independent review' into President Leon Botstein's connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Bard College board has …
How Jeffrey Epstein exploited colleges' 'tremendous drive to acquire money'
Yale University, Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles are among the schools that have recently placed professors on leave, seen fac…
Epstein Ties Test Bard College President Botstein's 50-Year Tenure
Despite his well-documented relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and consternation from some students and alumni, Botstein's decades leadin…
Colleges grapple with growing fallout from Epstein files
Harvard is among universities grappling with Epstein files fallout. The university's investigation now includes donors, a category that encompasses Farkas given…
The Epstein files have brought a wave of resignations and investigations
Overview of resignations and investigations triggered by the Epstein file releases. Harvard's investigation of donors is part of a broader accountability wave f…
The president of Bard College and a Yale University professor are among the names in the Epstein Files
Article covers Epstein Files revelations regarding Bard College president Leon Botstein and Yale professor David Gelernter. Perry Bard (the chiropractor) is not…
What the Jeffrey Epstein files reveal about how elites trade toxic gifts and favours
Epstein asked Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, to make sure Woody Allen's daughter was admitted, while also gifting Allen $10,000 worth of shirts and l…
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