Leon Botstein Resigns All Bard Posts After Congressmen Seek Federal Probe

Leon Botstein has resigned immediately from all Bard-affiliated positions, including his professorship and his roles with The Orchestra Now and other music programs, according to the college's Board of Trustees.

The resignation follows calls by Congressmen Jamie Raskin and Madeleine Dean for a federal investigation into Botstein. The congressmen cited an email uncovered in the Epstein files in which Botstein asked Epstein whether a young woman was available "for me, or are you keeping her for yourself."

What did Congressman Raskin allege?

In a letter to Bard leaders, Raskin wrote that Botstein "likely enabled and possibly even participated in Epstein's abuse while serving as Bard's President, as well as deeply troubling whistleblower reports that Botstein used his influence on Bard's campus to influence Title IX proceedings and protect sexual predators on the Bard faculty."

Raskin sent the letter on October 7, 2026, according to a release from the Judiciary Committee.

What does Botstein say?

In his resignation letter, Botstein denied any wrongdoing. "Any assertion that I knew of or was involved in Epstein's criminal behavior is wrong," he wrote. "But I do not want to see even false allegations about me put the institution I have served for more than half a century put at any risk."

How did Bard respond?

Brandon Weber, chair of Bard College's Board of Trustees, said in a statement that the college had received additional communications from Congressman Raskin. Weber said Bard will undertake "a full review" of the allegations and will cooperate with the Judiciary Committee's investigation.

Why did Botstein step down as president in May?

Botstein left the presidency in May after his contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. According to a search by OperaWire, Botstein appeared in thousands of emails concerning meetings with Epstein dating back to 2012 — years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to one count of "Felony Solicitation of Prostitution" and one count of "Procuring Person under 18 for Prostitution" and had registered as a sex offender.

The two met on several occasions while Botstein, according to reports, sought donations for the college.

With Botstein now severed from every Bard role, the college's promised "full review" and the Judiciary Committee's investigation will determine how far the institution's reckoning with his Epstein ties extends.