Leon Botstein resigns from Bard roles as key Democrat demands investigation into Epstein links

Key Points:

• Former Bard College president Leon Botstein resigned from all Bard-affiliated positions after an email surfaced in which he allegedly asked Jeffrey Epstein if a young woman was "for me, or are you keeping her for yourself," prompting calls for a criminal investigation by Democratic lawmakers.
• Congressman Jamie Raskin and other Democrats, leading a congressional probe, claim the email relates to a young model and aspiring vocalist who Epstein groomed and trafficked across multiple locations while exploiting her.
• Bard College's board of trustees is conducting a full review of the allegations and cooperating with the investigation; Botstein denies the allegations, including that he authored the incriminating email.
• An independent WilmerHale investigation revealed Botstein had extensive contact with Epstein, including visits to Epstein's properties and hosting Epstein at Bard, though Botstein has not been charged with any crimes.
• Democrats also reported receiving multiple whistleblower complaints alleging decades of unpunished sexual misconduct at Bard, while the college maintains that Title IX investigations have been handled independently since 2015-16.