Story perspectives

Congressional Inquiry Spurs DOJ Probe Demand on Botstein

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 6:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Leon Botstein resigned from all Bard College positions after a congressional inquiry.
Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Madeleine Dean demanded a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe in a House Judiciary Committee letter.
The letter cited a May 2014 email from Botstein’s bard.edu account to Epstein asking about “Jane Doe.”
WilmerHale review recorded about 25 Botstein visits to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and a two-day stay on Little St. James.
The review noted that multiple women later identified as Epstein victims were present during some visits.

History

Historical Context

Leon Botstein’s resignation after a House Judiciary Committee subpoena echoes the congressional investigations that led to President Bill Clinton’s impeachment. The House voted to impeach Clinton on December 19 1998, and the Senate trial (January 7–February 12 1999) saw only 45 senators vote to convict, far short of the 67 needed. Both episodes illustrate how federal inquiries can force leaders out of office.

1 of 2

Story summary

Leon Botstein resigned from all Bard College positions after a congressional inquiry.
Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Madeleine Dean demanded a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe in a House Judiciary Committee letter.
The letter cited a May 2014 email from Botstein’s bard.edu account to Epstein asking about “Jane Doe.”
WilmerHale review recorded about 25 Botstein visits to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and a two-day stay on Little St. James.
The review noted that multiple women later identified as Epstein victims were present during some visits.

1 / 2