Harvard Hillel Sought Donations From Epstein In 2010, 2011 After Conviction

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)

Is this all that sensational? I can't imagine that a conviction for anything would keep non-profits from calling and asking for money. Never in any fundraising phone call I've received has the conversation begun, "Before we get started, have you ever been convicted of a crime?"

Harvard Hillel Sought Donations From Epstein In 2010, 2011 After Conviction


Rosovsky Hall, which houses Harvard Hillel. Newly released Department of Justice emails show that former Harvard Hillel leaders solicited donations from Epstein in 2010 and 2011, years after his criminal conduct became public. By Ryan N. Gajarawala

By Hugo C. Chiasson, Sebastian B. Connolly, and Elise A. Spenner, Crimson Staff Writers
Yesterday

Former Harvard Hillel leaders personally solicited donations from convicted sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein in 2010 and 2011, according to emails released Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice. ... The newly disclosed correspondence shows that Hillel sought Epstein’s wealth and connections years after his criminal behavior was uncovered — including in May 2010, when Epstein remained under court-ordered probation with house-arrest conditions that lasted until August 2010.

The emails add to a growing paper trail linking Epstein to organizations and individuals connected to Harvard beyond the point at which the University said it cut financial ties. ... In a May 2010 letter, then-Hillel president Bernie Steinberg thanked Epstein for his “support of Harvard Hillel and the Harvard Jewish community during this important moment in history” and asked him to help contribute toward the $25 million the organization was attempting to raise.

Emails also showed that Hillel leaders and fundraisers reached out to Epstein through one of his longtime assistants, Lesley Groff, seeking meetings and phone calls to discuss future donations.

Carl S. Sloane ’58, a Harvard Business School professor who served as chairman of the Harvard Hillel Foundation from 2010 to 2015, contacted Groff in 2011 to request a sit-down or phone conversation with Epstein about another contribution. ... “Carl Sloane with Harvard Hillel is calling again re sitting down and speaking with you, or having a phone conversation...re a donation (which you have done in the past),” Groff wrote in an email to Epstein.

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