Botstein's Bard Legacy Tainted by Epstein Ties

0:00It's May 2nd. You're listening to Durham News today, AI-powered local news. Leon Boatstein, the 79-year-old president of Bard College in New York, just announced he's retiring at the end of June after 50 years in. The role. This comes months after new details emerged about his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. Boatstein waited until an independent review wrapped up before going public with the news. Documents from the Justice Department this year revealed multiple meetings between the two, including Epstein flying in by helicopter and Boatstein, inviting him to the 2013 graduation. Boatstein even emailed Epstein after a big 2018 news report on his crimes, expressing sympathy and referring to their friendship. Epstein also donated $150,000 to Bard in 2016, which Boatstein passed on to the college. The review by the law firm Wilmerhill, cleared Boatstein of any illegal actions, but criticized his judgment, saying he downplayed the relationship and prioritized fundraising over concerns.

1:05He once dismissed Epstein as just an ordinary sex offender who deserved a second chance and argued he'd take money from anyone to support the school's mission. Reactions from the Bard community and board have been mixed. Epstein's called the concerns serious, but thanked him for his transformative leadership over decades. They decided to redirect any Epstein link funds to groups helping survivors of sexual harm. Boatstein plans to stick around as a teacher and musician on faculty, leaving a huge legacy at Bard despite the controversy.