Harvard's Accountability Failure: What the University Got Wrong

The 2020 Harvard Investigation

In 2020, Harvard University commissioned a review of its relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, conducted by former Massachusetts Governor William Weld alongside Mintz Levin law firm.

Key Findings

The review found:

1. Harvard received approximately million from Epstein and entities associated with him
2. Epstein had meetings with senior Harvard officials after his 2008 conviction
3. Existing donor vetting processes were inadequate for identifying post-conviction donors
4. There was awareness at various levels that accepting money from a convicted sex offender was problematic, but concerns were not escalated appropriately

The Post-Conviction Continuity Problem

The central accountability failure was continuing a substantive relationship with Epstein after 2008. Once he was a convicted registered sex offender, the standard for accepting assistance financial or advisory should have been elevated significantly.

Money Returned and Kept

Harvard returned approximately ,000 received in 2019 but did not return earlier donations, most of which had been spent on research programs.

Harvard’s Institutional Changes

Following the review, Harvard announced changes to its donor vetting processes, specifically to include criminal background checks in the donor review process.