Bard College President Steps Down After Epstein Scandal Report Exposes Troubling Ties

Leon Botstein, Bard College’s president for over 50 years, announced his retirement effective June 30 following a damning report on his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. The law firm WilmerHale’s inquiry found Botstein “minimised” and was not “fully accurate” about his interactions with Epstein, a convicted sex offender and notorious child trafficker.

While nothing Botstein did was deemed illegal, the report makes clear his decisions reflect poorly on his leadership. In 2012, Botstein pursued Epstein’s financial support despite knowing Epstein’s 2008 conviction and status as a New York Level 3 sex offender—the highest risk category for reoffending. This reckless pursuit of donations ignored the very real danger Epstein posed to women and girls.

Between 2012 and 2019, Botstein visited Epstein’s townhouse around 25 times, took a two-day trip to Epstein’s private island, and flew there alongside Epstein and others. Epstein also visited Bard’s campus multiple times, often accompanied by women later identified as victims. Botstein extended invitations to Epstein to stay on campus and attend events, potentially exposing students to harm and legitimizing Epstein’s presence.

Botstein’s public statements claiming Epstein was never a friend conflict with private emails expressing admiration and friendship. The WilmerHale report notes that Botstein’s reliance on his own judgment over expert advice allowed Epstein’s influence to persist unchecked.

Student activists at Bard, including Owen Denker of Take Back Bard, expressed cautious approval of the report’s transparency but remain critical of the college’s broader complacency toward sexual misconduct on campus.

Botstein’s resignation marks the first time a sitting college president has been forced out due to the Epstein scandal. Other prominent academics have faced reputational damage but not stepped down, underscoring the significance of Bard’s reckoning.

This episode exposes how institutions can enable predators when financial interests overshadow safety and ethics. It is a stark reminder that accountability must extend beyond the criminals themselves to those who provide cover and legitimacy. Bard College’s leadership failure is a warning sign for higher education and beyond.