Bard College President Leon Botstein to Retire Following Probe Into Epstein Ties

Leon Botstein, the 79-year-old president of Bard College, has announced his retirement effective at the end of June. The announcement follows the delivery of a critical report by the law firm WilmerHale to the college's Board of Trustees regarding Botstein's relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation, launched in February after Department of Justice documents revealed extensive communications, concluded that while Botstein did not break any laws, his decisions reflected poorly on his leadership. Specifically, the report highlighted Botstein's pursuit of Epstein as a donor several years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. According to the summary provided by attorney Jamie Gorelick, Botstein argued that the institution's need for funding was paramount, reportedly stating he would accept money from 'Satan' to facilitate the college's mission. The report noted that Botstein failed to consider the reputational risk to the college or the potential impact on students and victims, and was not fully accurate in his public descriptions of the relationship. Despite the findings, the Board of Trustees expressed gratitude for Botstein's 51 years of service and his leadership in completing a $1 billion endowment campaign in January. Botstein intends to remain at the college as a faculty member and will continue his involvement with the Bard Music Festival and the Bard Conservatory.