By Mukesh 
The president of Bard College, who has run the unorthodox liberal-arts school for more than a half century, announced his retirement on Friday, after the release of documents that showed he had a closer relationship with Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.
Bard’s president, Leon Botstein, has long maintained that his relationship with Mr. Epstein was entirely about coaxing him to give money to the school, which is about 100 miles north of New York City.
A trove of documents released by the Justice Department in late January shows Dr. Botstein had exchanged messages and visits with Mr. Epstein for years, including after Mr. Epstein’s conviction on solicitation of a minor for prostitution. In one 2013 note, Dr. Botstein signed off with “Miss you.” He spoke of his cherished “new friendship” with the financier, and wished him well after a news story that detailed his abuse was published.
The documents also show that the two had worked closely together to buy a rare and expensive watch and that Dr. Botstein’s office had planned a visit to Mr. Epstein’s island.
Dr. Botstein is the latest powerful person to leave a top position after their communications with Mr. Epstein were revealed. The new documents do not show any criminal wrongdoing on Dr. Botstein’s part.
Dr. Botstein became president of Bard in 1975, when he was only 28 years old and the college was in dire financial shape. He earned a reputation as a talented fund-raiser, and is credited by his supporters with keeping the college afloat. In 2021, the billionaire George Soros pledged to donate $500 million to the college’s endowment, which now tops $1 billion.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.