Overview
- Leon Botstein said Friday he will leave the Bard presidency on June 30.
- A WilmerHale review released the same day said he minimized his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and documented about 25 visits to Epstein’s New York townhouse and a two-day trip to his private island.
- The report found no illegal conduct yet said his choices reflected on his leadership and quoted him saying he would take money from Satan to do God’s work.
- Records and reporting showed friendly emails, gifts and payments tied to Epstein, including donations routed through a third party, $150,000 in consulting fees to Botstein, and a $56,000 watch dispute.
- Trustees said they will soon name an interim president and begin a national search, and they signaled policy changes on donor vetting as faculty, staff and students reckon with the college’s reputation and next steps.