Leon Botstein, the longtime president of Bard College, resigned from all positions associated with the institution on Wednesday amid growing scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement followed a letter sent by the House Judiciary Committee accusing Botstein of enabling, and possibly participating in, Epstein’s abuse during his tenure at the college.
The letter, authored by Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the committee, cited a 2014 email sent from the Bard president’s official account that contained a controversial inquiry about a woman potentially trafficked by Epstein. Raskin described the message as difficult to explain innocently, noting that it was addressed to “the most famous sexual predator of our time.” The committee also raised concerns about Bard’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints while Botstein was president, highlighting that he personally oversaw Title IX-related decisions for much of his tenure—a practice described by Raskin as “highly irregular.”
Botstein, who announced plans to retire as Bard’s president earlier this year after 50 years in the role, had remained involved with the college in several capacities until his resignation on Wednesday. According to Bard College Board Chair Brandon Weber, Botstein relinquished all titles, including his professorship and roles within the institution’s music programs. The board unanimously accepted his resignation.
In a statement, Botstein denied the allegations, asserting that he did not author the contentious email and rejecting any suggestion of knowledge or involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. He emphasized that his relationship with Epstein was centered on cultivating potential donations for Bard. “I am confident that any fair review would confirm these facts,” Botstein said, adding that he chose to step down to shield the college from distractions and allow it to focus on its future.
The controversy intensified following the release of Justice Department documents revealing a closer relationship between Botstein and Epstein than previously known. The records show several email exchanges over the years, including messages in which Botstein signed off with “Miss you,” and expressed goodwill toward Epstein even after abuse allegations became public.
Bard College commissioned an independent review by the law firm WilmerHale to examine Botstein’s connections to Epstein. While the report flagged concerns about Botstein's leadership, it concluded that there was no illegal conduct. However, Representative Raskin criticized the adequacy of this internal review.
Weber stated that since the 2015-2016 academic year, Botstein no longer held unilateral authority over Title IX investigations, underscoring the college’s commitment to fair and thorough handling of complaints. He also affirmed that Bard is cooperating fully with the ongoing Congressional inquiry and is conducting its own comprehensive review of the recent allegations.
The developments mark a significant moment for Bard College as it seeks to address internal governance questions amid the broader investigations into Epstein’s network of associates.