Bob Kerrey Resigns from Monolith Amid Epstein Controversy

Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey has resigned from the board of directors of Monolith, a Nebraska-based clean-energy startup, following scrutiny over his past meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Kerrey, a Democrat and former governor of Nebraska, confirmed his resignation in a phone interview, stating that he wanted to avoid harming the company's prospects. The decision comes in the wake of the release of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department, which revealed that Kerrey met with Epstein on at least two occasions in 2013, years after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution.

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Bob Kerrey served as president emeritus of The New School from 2001 to 2010, where he reportedly met Epstein to discuss university-related matters. Despite the controversy, Kerrey has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The Nebraska Republican Party has called for all political candidates and organizations in the state to return contributions received from Kerrey, reflecting the political ramifications of his association with Epstein.

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In response to the backlash, Kerrey acknowledged the meetings with Epstein but emphasized that they were mischaracterized. He stated, “I am willing to accept it was a lack of moral judgment,” while urging a broader focus on the crimes committed against victims rather than his past interactions. A spokesperson for The New School noted that Kerrey's communications with Epstein were limited and unrelated to the university's activities, expressing regret over any association with Epstein.

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Mary Jane Truemper, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, criticized Kerrey's actions, stating that his meetings with Epstein reflect a "staggering failure of judgment and moral responsibility." Kerrey has suggested that if Republicans are outraged by his past, they should also scrutinize others within their ranks who have had similar associations with Epstein.

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Kerrey has stepped down from his role at Monolith but will continue his work at Allen & Co., a New York boutique investment bank. Monolith, which focuses on sustainable manufacturing processes, is currently in the process of raising capital and obtaining permits for new projects, including data centers. The company has not provided further details regarding Kerrey's resignation, citing it as an internal governance matter.

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“Did I have a meeting with Jeffrey Epstein in 2013? The answer is yes, I did,” — Bob Kerrey, Former U.S. Senator

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“I don’t want to mess up this company’s capacity to be successful. So, I resigned,” — Bob Kerrey

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“Kerrey’s repeated presence in these records, including multiple documented meetings, reflects a staggering failure of judgment and moral responsibility,” — Mary Jane Truemper, Chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party

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“We need moral clarity.” — Bob Kerrey, Former U.S. Senator

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“Those interactions appear to have been limited and were unrelated to the activities of The New School,” — Amy Malsin, The New School Spokesperson

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