Leon Botstein said he will retire at the end of June after 51 years leading Bard College, as the school faced scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. [1]
Bard's Board of Trustees retained WilmerHale in February after the release of Justice Department documents, and the law firm delivered a critical report in April. [1] WilmerHale attorney Jamie Gorelick said, "Nothing that President Botstein did in connection with his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was illegal," but she said his choices reflected on his leadership. [1]
The report said Botstein cultivated Epstein as a donor years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution and served a 13-month jail term. Botstein said Bard's need for money came first. Gorelick quoted him as saying, "I would take money from Satan if it permitted me to do God's work." [1]
Gorelick said Botstein did not see a risk to Bard's reputation or students in pursuing Epstein as a donor, and did not consider that his actions could validate Epstein in the eyes of potential victims or their parents. She also said Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in public statements and in remarks to the Bard community about the relationship. [1]
Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 in a Manhattan federal jail weeks after being arrested on child sex trafficking charges. Botstein is 79. [1]
Botstein's retirement takes effect at the end of June. [1]