Jeffrey Epstein had his own office at Harvard University and visited the college more than 40 times after he was released from prison on sex crimes charges in 2010, according to a new report.
An internal review by Harvard, published on Friday, laid bare deep, longstanding ties between Epstein and the university that were only cut after fresh allegations emerged against the disgraced late financier in 2018.
Harvard confirmed that Epstein, who died in a New York prison in August awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, had made more than $9 million (£7m) in donations to them over the years.
His money funded the construction of at least one campus building.
The review found that no gifts were received from Epstein, who was not an alumni, following his conviction in 2008 for Florida state sex crimes, one of which involved soliciting sex for pay from an underage girl.
Lawrence Bacow, Harvard’s president, said the university has donated $210,000 of unspent donations to groups that support victims of sex trafficking and assault.
The report, overseen by Diane Lopez, Harvard’s general counsel and vice president, found that even after his conviction and subsequent 13-month stint in jail, “some members of the Harvard community continued their relationships with Epstein.”
Ms Lopez wrote that "in 2013, several faculty members requested that Harvard reconsider accepting donations from Epstein.”
The university reported that Martin Nowak, director of the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED), had been placed on administrative leave over “unreported” contact between him and Epstein.
“While we have not been able to determine the precise number of campus visits, we understand that Epstein visited the offices of PED in Harvard Square more than 40 times between 2010 and 2018,” Ms Lopez wrote.
Epstein initially funded the program in 2003 with a gift of $6.5 million. He maintained a relationship with Mr Nowak over the next 15 years, including after Epstein’s release from prison.
