Botstein Resigns From Bard Roles; Lawmakers Demand Federal Inquiry
Leon Botstein resigned from college positions and Bard roles. Bard's board said it accepted his resignation unanimously.
The board is reviewing the allegations and cooperating with Congress. Botstein retired as Bard president this spring.
Emails had shown his longtime friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was an accused sex trafficker.
Congressional investigators uncovered an email attributed to Botstein and addressed to Epstein. The email asked about a young woman.
It said “for me or are you keeping her for yourself.” Botstein denied sending the email and denied involvement in Epstein's crimes. Representative Jamie Raskin called the email “startling.” He called for a criminal investigation into Botstein.
Raskin and Representative Madeleine Dean sent a letter seeking a federal investigation. It cited whistleblower claims of a sex-abuse cover-up at Bard.
The demand does not mean an investigation has opened. A past Bard review reportedly found about 25 visits to Epstein's townhouse.
Key Terms 3
- Leon Botstein He was longtime president of Bard College in New York, US.
- whistleblower A person who reports wrongdoing inside their own organization.
- Jamie Raskin A US Representative who is investigating Epstein-related matters in Congress.