Full Breakdown
NYU Professor's Email to Jeffrey Epstein Raises Ethical Concerns
12/27/2025, 8:54:03 PM
Revelations of a Congratulatory Email
Documents from the Department of Justice have revealed that James B. Rosenwald, III, an adjunct professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, sent a congratulatory email to Jeffrey Epstein on January 5, 2015, shortly after Epstein's criminal activities became public. In the email, Rosenwald praised Epstein's "wonderful financial successes" and reminisced about their past connection when Epstein taught him physics at the Dalton School from 1974 to 1976. This correspondence occurred just days after two women, including Virginia Giuffre, filed court documents alleging that Epstein had sexually exploited them as minors, including accusations involving Prince Andrew.
Background on James B. Rosenwald and Jeffrey Epstein
James B. Rosenwald has been affiliated with NYU since 2012 and is the chief investment officer and co-founder of Dalton Global Opportunity Fund. His relationship with Epstein dates back to their time at the Dalton School, where Epstein was hired as a teacher at the young age of 21. The email exchange highlights a troubling juxtaposition between Rosenwald's professional accolades and Epstein's criminal notoriety.
Official Responses and Ethical Implications
The email has sparked discussions regarding the ethical responsibilities of educators and their associations with individuals accused of serious crimes. NYU has not publicly commented on the matter, and Rosenwald did not respond to requests for comment. Critics argue that such communications can undermine the integrity of academic institutions and raise questions about the values upheld by faculty members.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics have expressed concern over the implications of Rosenwald's email, suggesting it reflects a troubling normalization of relationships with individuals involved in criminal activities. The timing of the email, coinciding with serious allegations against Epstein, has led to calls for greater accountability among educators in their professional and personal associations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the email exchange has been confirmed through DOJ documents, there is no information regarding any institutional response from NYU or whether Rosenwald faced any repercussions for his correspondence with Epstein. Additionally, the lack of comments from both Rosenwald and his colleague David Asch leaves gaps in understanding the full context of their relationship with Epstein.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Your name popped up again in the Press and I thought it was time to congratulate you on your wonderful financial successes since your days as my Physics prof at Dalton!!” — James B. Rosenwald, III
- “Unless your PR advisor is Donald Trump, I am not sure that current press provides you with much benefit.” — James B. Rosenwald, III
- “Ps. David Asch and I toasted to you during our Thanksgiving weekend in Amagansett in November,” — James B. Rosenwald, III
The revelations surrounding James B. Rosenwald's email to Jeffrey Epstein highlight significant ethical concerns within academic circles, particularly regarding the relationships that educators maintain with individuals accused of serious crimes. As the situation develops, further scrutiny may be directed at institutional policies and the responsibilities of faculty members.
