The Jeffrey Epstein Controversy: Connections to College Presidents, Billionaires, and Celebrities.

Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, defended his pursuit of donations from Jeffrey Epstein, stating that it was his duty to raise money for the institution. Botstein made frequent visits to Epstein's Upper East Side townhouse, hoping to secure funding for Bard's commitment to social justice, prisoner education program, and liberal arts mission. Bard College was struggling financially after the 2008 financial crisis, and Epstein's unsolicited $75,000 gift in 2011 was followed by two dozen visits over four years. Botstein said that he hoped for more donations, but Epstein's efforts to humiliate and string him along proved unsuccessful. Bard College has no restrictions on which donors it may accept money from, but gifts over $10,000 require approval by the board of trustees.