Leon Botstein Had Epstein Ties and Is Seen as a Campus Savior

Trustees chose Leon Botstein, then 28, to lead Bard College when the school faced extinction. Over more than half a century he grew the endowment to $1 billion, expanded into K-12 schools around the country, opened campuses abroad and started degrees for prisoners, and his persona became inseparable from the institution.

At some point, Dr. Botstein’s efforts to expand the school brought him into contact with Jeffrey Epstein. They stayed in touch after Epstein’s conviction, exchanged warm emails and visits, and discussed music, watches and young female musicians; newly uncovered messages show Dr.

Botstein helped women in Epstein’s orbit. Dr. Botstein has said the meetings were for fund‑raising, noting Epstein gave a small unsolicited gift in 2011 and dangled the possibility of a major gift that never came. He has apologized, called Epstein a "truly evil man," and told the Bard community his communication became "more sporadic" once it was clear a major donation would not materialize.

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