Columbia University Severs Academic Ties Over Epstein Girlfriend's Irregular Admission
Columbia University has permanently severed all institutional connections with two former academics from its prestigious dental school following revelations they bypassed standard admissions procedures to enroll Jeffrey Epstein's Belarusian girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak. The Ivy League institution has taken decisive disciplinary action against Dr. Thomas Magnani and Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn, who become the latest figures associated with elite academia to face consequences for their involvement with the convicted sex offender.
University Statement Reveals Irregular Admission Process
In an official statement, Columbia University acknowledged that "a student was admitted to the dental school through an irregular process, coinciding with fundraising solicitations by former academic and alumni leadership of the school." The university emphasized that "the fundraising discussions were undertaken by the then leadership of the dental school or individuals acting at their behest and not at the direction of the leadership of the medical center or the University."
The institution has committed to donating $210,000 to nonprofit organizations supporting victims of sexual abuse and trafficking, representing the total amount identified in gifts from entities connected to Epstein. Columbia has clarified that current dental school leadership had no involvement in the scandal and that Shuliak herself is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Disciplinary Actions Against Involved Academics
Dr. Thomas Magnani, Epstein's personal dentist who ceased teaching at Columbia in 2017, has been removed from the school's admissions review community and stripped of all volunteer roles. His private Manhattan dental practice has lost its Columbia affiliation, along with his voluntary faculty appointment. Magnani had facilitated Epstein's donations to the dental college beginning in March 2011.
Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn, a faculty member since 1968 with tenure, has been relieved of all administrative positions. As vice dean for academic affairs at the time, she helped develop a personalized study plan for Shuliak despite the applicant lacking standard qualifications.
Email Correspondence Reveals Special Treatment
Recently released Justice Department documents from the Epstein Files reveal extensive email correspondence showing how Columbia administrators provided extraordinary accommodations for Shuliak's application between 2011 and 2012. Then-dean Ira Lamster, whose dean emeritus page disappeared from Columbia's website in February, acknowledged to the Daily Mail that "special favors" were granted but insisted "there was no quid pro quo" arrangement.
The emails demonstrate that Shuliak gained admission to Columbia's dental program despite missing a bachelor's degree and displaying notably weak written English skills. Lamster assured Epstein that Shuliak would be "fast-tracked" into the program and that her "special status" would resolve visa concerns. Remarkably, she was allowed to graduate a full year ahead of students in the class from which she was originally rejected.
Epstein's Direct Involvement in Admissions Process
Epstein took a remarkably hands-on approach to Shuliak's dental education, personally corresponding with Columbia administrators and coaching the Belarusian native on immigration strategies. Starting when Shuliak was 20 and Epstein was 47, their relationship evolved with Epstein using the alias "Vassily" while referring to her as "Captain." He advised her on entering the US as a "cleaning lady" while acknowledging she was "too beautiful and elegant for that."
Epstein discouraged Shuliak from applying to other dental schools, writing that alternatives were "mainly black students or not good places." He assured her, "Don't worry about the money' you are very important to me," while personally covering her approximately $70,000 annual tuition, Upper East Side apartment, and extensive additional expenses including over $191,000 in credit card bills during 2014 alone.
Fundraising Connections and Special Arrangements
Epstein's donations to Columbia's dental college began in March 2011 through his dentist, Dr. Magnani, who was also a school alumnus. Within a month, Epstein's assistant was pushing for a special tour of the dental college for Shuliak, which was arranged despite administrators noting they "don't normally arrange special one-on-one tours."
After Shuliak's initial rejection in February 2012, Epstein organized drinks at his home with Magnani and Lamster. Shortly thereafter, Lamster wrote to Belarusian authorities asking if Shuliak could complete her fifth year at Columbia to obtain her dental degree—a letter he later claimed not to remember writing. Lamster acknowledged to the Daily Mail that such personal intervention was "unusual" but represented "the kind of courtesy done for VIPs."
Fast-Track Admission and Ongoing Relationship
Within two and a half months of her rejection, Shuliak moved from Brooklyn into an Epstein-owned apartment nine blocks from his Manhattan mansion and was accepted as a transfer student. Lamster and his staff arranged her accelerated graduation timeline, placing her in the class of 2015 rather than 2016 despite her original application being for the later class.
Five days after Shuliak's acceptance, Epstein hosted a dinner for Lamster, Magnani, and the dental school's senior associate dean for finance. The following day, Epstein ordered monogrammed shirts for Lamster alongside gifts for former Obama administration treasury secretary Larry Summers and JPMorgan Chase executive Jes Staley.
Financial Support and Professional Advancement
Epstein continued supporting Shuliak's career beyond her Columbia education, arranging legal representation for her visa applications, intervening in a 2014 Immigration and Customs Enforcement case, and attempting to secure her dental residencies and licenses. He even outfitted two of his homes with dental equipment for her use and supported her parents in Belarus, paying for her mother's breast cancer treatment.
Shuliak was listed as Epstein's emergency contact on multiple medical forms, and the pair maintained close contact until his death. She was the last person to speak with him by phone before his apparent suicide in 2019. Epstein attempted to bequeath the majority of his estate to Shuliak two days before his death, though legal claims from victims have prevented distribution of these assets.
Aftermath and Current Status
Shuliak returned to Columbia after Epstein's death, earning a post-graduate degree in general dentistry. She currently holds dental licenses in Florida, New Mexico, and New York. Neither Shuliak nor Dr. Magnani responded to requests for comment, while Dr. Moss-Salentijn could not be reached. Columbia University has declined further comment beyond its official statement, noting that Lamster is no longer employed by the dental school and that current leadership played no role in Shuliak's admission.
