# Ex-Bard President Resigns Over Epstein Email Allegations

> Leon Botstein steps down from Bard College after House Judiciary Committee accuses him of enabling Epstein abuse.
- Title: Ex-Bard President Resigns Over Epstein Email Allegations
- Summary: Leon Botstein steps down from Bard College after House Judiciary Committee accuses him of enabling Epstein abuse. Leon Botstein resigned from Bard College…
- Keywords: leon botstein, bard college, jeffrey epstein, house judiciary committee, epstein email, alleged abuse, resignation, Ex-Bard, President, Resigns, Epstein, Email
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/leon-botstein-resigns-bard-college-epstein-1235639586
- Author: Charisma Madarang
- Published: 2026-10-08T04:38:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leon botstein, bard college, jeffrey epstein, house judiciary committee, epstein email, alleged abuse, resignation
## Leon Botstein's resignation
Leon Botstein resigned from all Bard College roles after House Judiciary Committee accused him of enabling Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.

> Botstein likely enabled and possibly even participated in Epstein's abuse while serving as Bard's President
## House Judiciary Committee letter
House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Bard's Board Chair and Acting President alleging Botstein enabled Epstein's abuse through a 2014 email.

> Botstein likely enabled and possibly even participated in Epstein's abuse while serving as Bard's President
## 2014 email inquiry
A 2014 email from Botstein asked if a Jane Doe Epstein was grooming was 'for me, or are you keeping her for yourself'.

> for me, or are you keeping her for yourself
## Botstein's statement
Botstein denied involvement in Epstein's criminal behavior, stating he resigned to protect Bard from false allegations.

> any assertion that I knew of or was involved in Epstein's criminal behavior is wrong
## Key takeaway

Leon Botstein resigned from Bard College leadership following allegations he enabled Jeffrey Epstein's abuse through a 2014 email inquiry.