Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 4.17 — strongly supporting 15 facts
Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, maintained a multi-year relationship with Jeffrey Epstein primarily to solicit donations for the institution, as evidenced by their numerous meetings [1], [2], [3] and financial transactions [4], [5]. Despite Botstein's claims that the relationship was strictly professional [6], [7], their correspondence and frequent interactions led to significant scrutiny from the Bard College Board of Trustees [8], [9], [10].
Facts (15)
Sources
Professors in the Epstein files say they hoped friendship ... apnews.com 7 facts
accountLeon Botstein referred to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein as a "friendship" in at least two emails.
measurementJeffrey Epstein provided $150,000 to Leon Botstein in 2016, which Botstein donated to Bard College.
claimDavid Wade, a spokesperson for Leon Botstein, stated that Jeffrey Epstein suggested the possibility of a larger donation that never materialized.
accountLeon Botstein suggested that he and Jeffrey Epstein meet for an opera performance.
accountJeffrey Epstein and Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, had a relationship involving multiple meetings, including visits where Epstein arrived by helicopter at the college.
quoteLeon Botstein stated in a campus letter: “Mr. Epstein was not my friend; he was a prospective donor.”
quoteIn 2018, following reports by The Miami Herald regarding Jeffrey Epstein's criminal prosecution, Leon Botstein emailed Epstein stating: “I want you to know that I hope you are holding up as well as can be expected.”
College Campuses Are in Upheaval Over Faculty Ties to Epstein wired.com 5 facts
claimLeon Botstein sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein in 2013 writing “Miss you,” and in 2017, Botstein coordinated with Epstein on the purchase of a rare collectible watch for $50,000.
claimOn February 16, the Board of Trustees of Bard College convened an emergency meeting to discuss Leon Botstein's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
claimJeffrey Epstein networked with Leon Botstein on behalf of Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn regarding the possibility of one of the couple’s daughters enrolling at Bard College.
claimLeon Botstein, the president of Bard College for over 50 years, maintained a connection with Jeffrey Epstein while seeking financial stability for the college.
claimLeon Botstein claimed that Jeffrey Epstein was constantly intimating that he might make a major contribution to Bard College, but ultimately left the college empty-handed.
Jeffrey Epstein scheduled meetings with Noam Chomsky, CIA ... globalnews.ca 3 facts
accountLeon Botstein met with Jeffrey Epstein more than two dozen times over four years, primarily at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, including one meeting to thank Epstein for donating laptops to Bard College.
accountLeon Botstein invited Jeffrey Epstein to the Bard College campus, where Epstein traveled with a group of young female guests.
accountBard College president Leon Botstein met with Jeffrey Epstein in an attempt to secure funding for Bard College.