As scrutiny of elite institutions and their ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein continues, newly released Justice Department documents are shedding additional light on the relationship between Epstein and Bard College President Leon Botstein — a relationship that appears to have gone beyond routine fundraising outreach.
For years, Dr. Botstein’s explanation for his dealings with Epstein was straightforward. As the head of a small liberal arts college, he argued that courting wealthy donors — even controversial ones — was sometimes necessary to keep Bard financially viable. But documents released last week suggest the connection was more personal and more involved than previously acknowledged.
In one 2013 email cited in the records, Dr. Botstein signed off to Epstein with the words “Miss you.” Other communications show the two men remained in contact well into 2018, just a year before Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The newly released materials, drawn from more than three million pages of documents, provide a broader look at how Epstein sought legitimacy and influence by cultivating relationships with prominent figures in academia and culture. Those entangled in his orbit included Bard’s president and others such as Lawrence M. Krauss, a well-known theoretical physicist who later faced his own misconduct allegations.
One episode detailed in the documents involves an expensive antique watch. In early 2017, Dr. Botstein and Epstein appear to have worked together to purchase a rare open-faced Swiss pocket watch from the 1920s. Confusion later arose over who the watch was intended for and who would ultimately pay for it. In February 2018, Epstein’s in-house accountant contacted Dr. Botstein demanding either payment of $51,615 or the return of the watch.
Rather than replying to the accountant, Dr. Botstein emailed Epstein directly asking what he wanted him to do. He later indicated he could begin making payments once a personal loan came through. Dr. Botstein sent some payments before Epstein later told him that no further money was required.
In a statement issued Friday, Dr. Botstein said the watch was initially intended for Epstein, who had expressed interest in buying an antique timepiece. According to Dr. Botstein, Epstein later changed his mind, leaving him feeling obligated to purchase the watch himself to settle the matter.
The documents also show Epstein acted as a connector between Dr. Botstein and filmmaker Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, when their daughter was considering colleges. In one email, the family thanked Epstein for “getting Bechet into Bard,” though Dr. Botstein’s spokesman said the student was admitted on her own merits.
Another revelation reported by the Times Union details plans by Dr. Botstein’s office for a 2012 trip involving Epstein’s private island. That trip included billionaire Leon Black, who later stepped down from Apollo Global Management over his own ties to Epstein. According to Dr. Botstein’s spokesman, the president recalls attending dinner on Black’s boat but does not remember whether he went to Epstein’s island, citing illness during the trip. The visit resulted in a $250,000 donation to Bard from Black.
Dr. Botstein acknowledged in the past that he personally received $150,000 in consulting fees from a foundation created by Epstein. He has said that money was rolled into a personal $1 million donation to Bard, insisting he did not benefit personally.
Despite these disclosures, Bard’s board has continued to support Dr. Botstein, who has led the college since 1975 and is widely credited with keeping it afloat during difficult financial periods. His aggressive fundraising helped stabilize Bard after the 2008 financial crisis, and the college later received a $500 million donation from George Soros.
No such donation ever came from Epstein. According to Dr. Botstein, Epstein repeatedly hinted at making a major contribution to Bard but never followed through, instead stringing the college along. As more documents come to light, questions remain about how deeply that relationship ran — and what it says about the cost of courting wealthy donors at elite institutions.
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