Harvard University and Bard College are facing renewed congressional scrutiny over whether their relationships with Jeffrey Epstein helped him rebuild his reputation and maintain access to elite academic circles after his criminal conduct was known. Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, is demanding a fuller accounting from both schools, arguing that their previous internal investigations were incomplete or misleading. He is seeking records involving Epstein’s donations, research funding, faculty relationships, admissions activity and institutional decision-making. At Harvard, the inquiry focuses partly on donations made after the university said it had stopped accepting Epstein’s money, as well as his extensive contacts with former Harvard president Larry Summers and other academics. Epstein gave more than $9 million to Harvard and affiliated programs between 1998 and 2008.

Bard is also being pressed to make outgoing president Leon Botstein available for a transcribed interview and to release the full findings of its investigation into his dealings with Epstein. Bard’s independent review found no illegal conduct by Botstein, but concluded that he was not fully candid about the relationship, failed to recognize the risks Epstein posed to the college and its students, and did not disclose consulting fees received from an Epstein-controlled entity. Raskin cited evidence suggesting Epstein used his higher-education connections not only to rehabilitate himself socially but potentially to maintain and expand his exploitation of women. Harvard and Bard were asked to provide the requested information by July 1, as lawmakers seek to determine how prestigious institutions continued granting Epstein credibility, access and influence.

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Harvard and Bard face fresh questions from lawmakers over ties to Epstein | Jeffrey Epstein | The Guardian