## Epstein’s University Connections: New Revelations
Recent files released by the U.S. Department of Justice have provided fresh insights into Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to leverage his connections for influence and access at major universities, including ties to the Rothschild banking family. The documents detail Epstein’s initiatives to assist young women, including Alice de Rothschild, in securing admissions to prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and New York University.
### Epstein’s Intervention for Alice de Rothschild
In 2016, Epstein made strides to help Alice de Rothschild gain admission to Columbia University. He reached out to Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist associated with Columbia, requesting that he advocate on her behalf to the admissions office. According to the communication from November 16, 2016, Dr. Axel emphasized that while Alice was a competent candidate, she was “not the strongest.” Despite Epstein’s support, Alice did not gain admission to Columbia; Dr. Axel later communicated this outcome to Epstein in February 2017. She ultimately enrolled at New York University, pursuing a degree in biology.
### Family Response and Institutional Reactions
The Rothschild family has since clarified their stance, stating that Alice’s acceptance and rejections from universities were purely based on her academic performance. They emphasized that Alice should not be held accountable for Epstein’s actions, which were not initiated by her.
In response to the situation, Columbia University reiterated that Dr. Axel does not possess decision-making authority over admissions. He has acknowledged his association with Epstein as a significant misjudgment, highlighting the challenges of navigating personal relationships in professional contexts.
### Epstein’s Role in Dental School Admissions
The documents also recount Epstein’s influence in facilitating the admission of his then-girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, to Columbia’s dental school in 2012 following her initial rejection. Allegedly, senior officials at the dental school helped retrieve her academic documents from Belarus and created tailored study plans for her success.
Epstein subsequently made notable financial contributions to the university, including a $100,000 donation toward a public health initiative and $50,000 to the dental school’s annual fund. Dr. Ira Lamster, the former dean of the dental college, acknowledged that he addressed Epstein’s request with the same consideration he would provide to any prospective major donor, stressing that he did not perceive it as a transaction.
### Wider Patterns of Admissions Facilitation
The documentation uncovers a broader pattern in which Epstein purportedly offered college admissions support and tuition assistance to young women within his orbit, some of whom later accused him of sexual misconduct.
In January, Representative Jamie Raskin, a leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to the presidents of both Columbia and New York University probing into Epstein’s connections to these institutions. He raised profound concerns about allegations that Epstein had exploited young women, including minors, by promising educational opportunities while continuing his abusive behaviors.
### Financial Contributions and Continuing Investigations
Tax documents from the C.O.U.Q. Foundation, one of Epstein’s charitable organizations, reveal over $200,000 in scholarship payments to both New York University and Columbia University between 2001 and 2006. Furthermore, a financial ledger compiled by Deutsche Bank for federal investigators identified payments covering tuition for several foreign students at institutions including the Fashion Institute of Technology and the New School.
Both Columbia and New York University have expressed their commitment to cooperating with ongoing congressional inquiries. New York University reiterated its support for transparency regarding Epstein’s sordid actions and the concerns surrounding his affiliations.
### Continuing Scrutiny
Jeffrey Epstein’s death in 2019 while in custody, awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges, has not diminished the scrutiny surrounding his connections to prestigious academic institutions and influential figures. As more records surface, the examination of Epstein’s legacy continues, raising vital questions about ethics and accountability in higher education.
