The Media Lab Investigation
In September 2019, Ronan Farrow published an investigation in The New Yorker documenting how MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito had accepted donations from Jeffrey Epstein and deliberately structured them to avoid appearing in MIT’s official records.
The Concealment Mechanics
Farrow’s investigation, supported by Media Lab internal communications, showed that:
- Epstein’s donations were recorded as ‘anonymous’ in MIT files at Ito’s direction
- Other Media Lab staff were instructed not to list Epstein’s name in documents or correspondence
- Ito told staff to keep the relationship ‘confidential’
The Amount
The total Epstein donations to the Media Lab were approximately ,000, received in multiple installments. This was in addition to amounts that Epstein helped direct from other donors to the lab.
Joi Ito’s Resignation
Following publication of Farrow’s investigation, Joi Ito resigned as Media Lab Director. He also resigned from the boards of The New York Times and several other organizations.
MIT’s Response
MIT commissioned its own investigation. The review found systemic failures in donor oversight. MIT acknowledged accepting approximately ,000 from Epstein directly, with additional amounts facilitated through him.