American educator and conductor, president of Bard College since 1975. DOJ-released EFTA files show several meetings between Botstein and Epstein between 2012 and 2016, with continued contact through 2018. In July 2013, Epstein and 'girls' of unknown age flew by helicopter to visit Bard College. On February 23, 2026, Bard College announced it hired WilmerHale to investigate Botstein's ties to Epstein. UNDER INVESTIGATION: In February 2026, Bard College hired an outside law firm to investigate after Botstein's name appeared over 2,500 times in the DOJ Epstein file releases.
He traveled to Little Saint James in 2012 and wrote to Epstein in 2013: "I greatly cherish this new friendship." Bard postponed its 50th anniversary gala.
Large reports can take 10 to 30 seconds. Your download will start automatically.
Leon Botstein is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Leon Botstein is an American educator and conductor who has served as president of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, since 1975 and as music director of the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO). He has been described in editorial contexts as 'one of our few remaining public intellectuals' and was named as a hypothetical nominee for a proposed U.S. Secretary of Culture position. As of at least 2018, he served as a member of the Open Society Global Board.
Epstein Connection
DOJ-released EFTA files document an extensive and sustained relationship between Leon Botstein and Jeffrey Epstein spanning from at least August 2012 through at least August 2016, with continued contact into 2018. The relationship involved numerous in-person meetings and lunches (often at Epstein's New York home), phone calls, Epstein's attendance at Botstein's rehearsals and concerts at Carnegie Hall and Bard College, dinner invitations, and a documented financial payment. In August 2016, a check for $37,500 was issued from 'Gratitude America, Ltd' -- an Epstein-linked entity -- to Leon Botstein through Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Communications were coordinated through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff and Botstein's assistant Catherine (Susser Luiggi). Botstein appeared on Epstein guest lists alongside figures such as Jes Staley, Martin Nowak, Michael Wolff, and Joe Pagano.
Key Allegations(6)
Botstein received a $37,500 payment from Epstein-linked entity 'Gratitude America, Ltd' via Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, dated August 1, 2016.
documentedBotstein maintained a sustained relationship with Jeffrey Epstein involving numerous scheduled meetings, lunches, phone calls, and concert/rehearsal attendance from at least 2012 through 2016.
documentedContact between Botstein and Epstein continued into 2018, with Epstein's communications referencing spending time with Botstein as an 'Open Society Global Board Member' on July 27, 2018.
documentedBotstein appeared on an Epstein contact/callback list alongside Lawrence Krauss, Marvin Minsky, Ehud Barak, Ariane de Rothschild, and others.
documentedEpstein visited Bard College in July 2016 by helicopter (with 2 pilots confirmed) to see Botstein's concert and have dinner with Botstein.
documentedBotstein was invited to and attended dinner gatherings at Epstein's New York home alongside other Epstein associates including Barnaby Marsh, Roger Schank, Jes Staley, Martin Nowak, Michael Wolff, and Joe Pagano.
documentedLegal Status
Botstein is not known to have been charged, investigated, or called as a witness in any Epstein-related legal proceeding. He appears in DOJ-released EFTA files as a documented social, professional, and financial contact of Jeffrey Epstein.
Notable Statements(3)
“Open Society Global Board Leon Botstein Global Board Member Spent all afternoon here”
“Botstein and the ASO. The truth is that I have been such a thorn”
“No we'll meet outside”
Key Relationships(8)
Botstein received a $37,500 check from Epstein-linked entity 'Gratitude America, Ltd' dated August 1, 2016 [efta-01348714, efta-01358504]. Extensive social contact documented over multiple years.
Dozens of scheduled meetings, lunches, phone calls, concert and rehearsal attendances, and dinner invitations documented from 2012 through at least 2018 [efta-efta01999743, efta-efta02035364, efta-efta01905791, efta-efta02046447, d-17925, and many others].
Lesley Groff, Epstein's executive assistant, coordinated virtually all scheduling between Epstein and Botstein [efta-efta02081178, efta-efta02046447, efta-efta02082698, efta-efta01950955, and many others].
Jes Staley appeared on the same Epstein guest/invitee list as Botstein for events at Epstein's home [efta-efta02115900].
Martin Nowak appeared on the same Epstein guest list as Botstein [efta-efta02115900].
Michael Wolff appeared on the same Epstein guest list as Botstein [efta-efta02115900].
Leon Black appears on the same contact/callback list as Botstein in Epstein's files, with a note suggesting uncertainty about which 'Leon' was being referenced [efta-efta01732729, efta-efta01789534].
Joe Pagano appeared on the same Epstein guest list as Botstein [efta-efta02115900].
Timeline(32 events)
Botstein's assistant communicates about a September 7th date with Epstein's office
Request made for Epstein to meet with Leon Botstein on the morning of Thursday, September 20th
Scheduled appointment with President Leon Botstein of Bard at 11:00 in New York
12:00 lunch with Leon Botstein scheduled
Catherine in Botstein's office asks if Epstein would like to have lunch with Leon on the 15th
Email exchange: Leon Botstein can't do breakfast Saturday Feb 16th; Epstein replies 'Yes'
Epstein emails about Leon Botstein's concert: 'she needs tickets to the next'
Epstein replies about meeting with Botstein: 'No we'll meet outside'
Reminder about whether Epstein can meet with Leon Botstein before a concert on Sunday
1:00 PM Pre-Concert Talk by Leon Botstein at Carnegie Hall
Email about Leon dropping by tomorrow; Epstein has not answered
Groff asks if it would be possible for Leon to come to see Epstein
Botstein emails Epstein: 'Hi and I hope all is well. I am also sending the program' with attachment 'This England Botstein LB Final.docx'
Epstein hosts Easter Sunday dinner at his NY home; Botstein invited alongside Barnaby Marsh, Roger Schank, and others
Message from Leon Botstein's office coordinated through Catherine Susser Luiggi
Botstein confirms via Catherine regarding Jeffrey Epstein
Communication regarding message from Leon Botstein: 'phone only still in carib'
Leon Botstein is asking about something; Epstein replies 'yes'
Leon Botstein will not be available to come to NY on Friday
Meeting with Leon scheduled: 9:30am Tuesday at Jeffrey's home
9:30am appointment with Leon Botstein; also discussion regarding Moscow concert tickets
Tickets to Leon Botstein concert confirmed in Moscow
Leon Botstein confirmed to see Epstein on April 21 at 2:30
Meeting with Leon Botstein at Epstein's office
Meeting with Leon referenced
Jeffrey wants to go see Leon Botstein's rehearsal at Carnegie Hall from approximately 11:45-1pm the following day
Communication regarding Botstein; recipient received a link
Leon Botstein requests early dinner with Epstein after performance at Bard; confirmation of 2 pilots for Epstein's visit to Bard College
Epstein scheduled to attend Leon Botstein's concert at Bard College at 2:00pm, with tentative 5:00pm dinner with Botstein; Ken Cooper (head of security) noted
$37,500 check issued from Gratitude America, Ltd to Leon Botstein via Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Leon Botstein must change phone date time to 2:30pm
Message from Epstein-associated email references 'Open Society Global Board Leon Botstein Global Board Member Spent all afternoon here'
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesExternal Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Document Mentions
Schedule (50)
2012-01-15 to 2015-03-24 · 28 entries verified across multiple documents
Lunch w/Leon Botstein
Lunch with Leon Botstein
Go see Leon Botstein at his Dress Rehearsal at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall Stage Entrance on 56th ST
Appointment with Pres. Leon Botstein of Bard
Appt w/Pres. Leon Botstein of Bard
Appointment with President Leon Botstein of Bard
Lunch with Leon Botstein
Lunch with Leon Botstein
Go see Leon Botstein at his Dress Rehearsal at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall (Stage Entrance on 56th ST)
Botstein's Rehearsal
Dimenna Center-Cary Hall, 450 West 37th
Dinner with Leon Botstein
DINNER w/Leon Botstein
Tea and Cakes with Leon Botstein
Botstein Rehearsal at Bard
Bard
Botstein Performance at Bard
Bard
Botstein Performance at Bard
Bard
Breakfast with Leon Botstein
Barnaby Marsh & Leon Botstein to come to the house in the afternoon
Barnaby Marsh & Leon Botstein
Appointment with Barnaby Marsh & Leon Botstein
This dossier on Leon Botstein was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.