https://x.com/jkbjournalist/status/2050325346239516889BREAKING: Leon Botstein, the embattled president of Bard College, has resigned – one day after an investigation by a firm commissioned by the college revealed his longtime ties to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Miami Herald has learned. His resignation letter, which makes no reference to Epstein, was sent out to students this afternoon by the college's PR department.
WilmerHale, the firm that conducted the probe, said that while it found no evidence Dr. Bard did anything illegal*, his relationship with Epstein showed poor leadership.
In his letter, Botstein said he was retiring after 51 years, but had elected to wait until after the Epstein probe was complete. However, earlier this month, he had been telling colleagues that he would be cleared, and expressed no intention of leaving – or retiring.
"I previously informed the Board of Trustees that in view of the completion of the endowment campaign, my 51 years of service as president, and my upcoming eightieth birthday, it has been my intention to retire from the presidency and focus my energy as faculty member, teacher, and musician. I will continue with the Bard Music Festival, SummerScape, and the Bard Conservatory and will live at Finberg House," Botstein wrote in his letter.
*
The probe found that Botstein made over 25 visits to Epstein's townhouse, made a two-day visit to his island and made a flight to the island with a woman – while also inviting Epstein to various Bard events where he was accompanied by multiple women "who have since been identified as victims of Epstein."