As US lawmakers intensify their scrutiny of institutions linked to convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, two elite American universities are facing mounting pressure to disclose their connections. The spotlight is once again on Harvard University and Bard College, which have been accused of turning a blind eye to Epstein's alleged abuse and misuse of his affiliations.
Leading Democrat Jamie Raskin has called for a "comprehensive accounting" from both institutions, citing concerns that previous investigations into their roles concerning Epstein's activities were inadequate. He is seeking extensive records, including communications, admissions, interactions, and institutional decision-making, alongside the full results of internal reviews conducted by Bard College.
Mr Raskin has specifically requested that Bard College make its outgoing president, Leon Botstein, available for a transcribed interview. Mr Botstein, who served as president for over 50 years, will retain a role at the college. At Harvard, Mr Raskin is seeking all records related to Epstein's donations, research funding, and personal relationships with faculty members, including former president Larry Summers.
The renewed scrutiny follows Mr Summers' resignation from his teaching position at Harvard in February, after the Department of Justice released files detailing aspects of their relationship. Epstein donated over £7 million (approximately $9 million) to Harvard and its affiliated programmes between 1998 and 2008, a period that overlapped with Mr Summers's tenure as president.
Mr Raskin has criticised Harvard's previous inquiries in 2008 and 2019 for being incomplete at best and potentially misleading. He argues that these investigations failed to uncover donations Epstein made after Harvard had supposedly banned such contributions in 2008, and did not fully reveal the extent of his relationships with faculty or his involvement in student admissions and research.
The calls for greater transparency come as lawmakers seek to prevent similar cases from occurring in future. "It is time for Harvard, like the rest of America, to come clean and engage in the comprehensive accounting that will allow us to learn from this nightmare," Mr Raskin stated in a letter to Harvard president Alan Garber.
Epstein's connections to elite institutions raise important questions about the UK's own associations with individuals accused of similar crimes. Britain has its own Epstein-linked cases, including a recent High Court ruling that exposed the extent of his British network and influence. This renewed scrutiny will undoubtedly prompt further investigations into how British universities and institutions can prevent such abuses of power.