Yale Professor Removed After Epstein Email Leak
A long‑time Yale computer science teacher has been stripped of his teaching duties following the release of new government documents that revealed he had corresponded with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The papers, made public under a 2025 law requiring the Department of Justice to disclose Epstein‑related records, contain dozens of messages exchanged between the professor and Epstein from 2009 to 2015.
Key Findings
- An October 2011 email offered a Yale student to Epstein, describing her solely in physical terms.
- The professor claimed the note was meant to inform Epstein about a student’s appearance so he could “match her with his habits.”
- Yale officials deemed this justification unacceptable and suspended the professor pending investigation.
The professor later sent a defensive email to the dean, asserting that he had not dishonored the student and that his comments were harmless. He even praised Epstein’s intellect, calling him “one of the smartest men I’d ever met.” The dean’s office announced that the professor would not teach until the review concluded.
Students were informed that their class was now led by another instructor, and Yale stated it did not support the professor’s conduct. The university is still examining whether his actions violated policy or law.
Professor’s Defense
- He claimed ignorance of Epstein’s criminal record.
- Argued the emails did not show knowledge of sex trafficking.
- Described the conversation as “private” and questioned whether others would read such personal correspondence.
This case underscores how new transparency laws can bring old ties to light and forces institutions to reconsider the behavior of their faculty.
