Bard College Hires Top Law Firm to Investigate President's Epstein Links
Bard College's board of trustees has taken a significant step by retaining the prominent outside law firm WilmerHale to conduct an independent investigation into communications between the college's longtime president, Leon Botstein, and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Scope of the Independent Review
In an announcement made on Thursday evening, the board stated that WilmerHale will perform a comprehensive "independent review" of the full scope of these communications. This review will also examine any financial contributions connected to Epstein and all related matters. Once the investigation is complete, the law firm is expected to provide recommendations to the board regarding policies and practices on donor vetting, fundraising, codes of conduct, and conflicts of interest.
New Revelations Prompt Action
This move follows new revelations about Botstein's dealings with Epstein, which have emerged from emails and other communications released by the Department of Justice. Among these revelations is a trip that Botstein took to Epstein's island in 2012. The hiring of a major US law firm like WilmerHale to investigate these claims suggests that the trustees have come under considerable pressure to respond to the emerging details.
Botstein's Defense of the Relationship
Botstein, who has been at Bard since 1975, has defended his relationship with Epstein, who pleaded guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor in 2008. Botstein has stated that he first came into contact with Epstein in 2011, years after it was publicly known that Epstein was a sex offender. This contact occurred after he received an unsolicited gift of $75,000 from Epstein to Bard High School Early College. Botstein has argued that he pursued the relationship "in fulfillment of my responsibilities as the chief fundraiser of the college".
Further Details from Communications
In a letter to the campus community, Botstein has also claimed that Epstein was "not my friend", according to reporting by WAMC News. Additionally, he has alleged that during a dinner he attended on Epstein's island in 2012, he was ill and stayed by himself. Botstein has maintained that he went solely to attend a fundraiser there with the billionaire investor Leon Black.
The independent investigation by WilmerHale aims to provide clarity and accountability in light of these complex and troubling associations.
