Despite Epstein’s initial conviction for sex crimes in 2008, some scientists continued to associate with him and accept his funding. For instance, Epstein donated 800,000 U.S. dollars to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a move that eventually led to the resignation of two scientists and the suspension of another.
While mentions of the researchers in the files do not necessarily indicate wrongdoing or involvement in Epstein’s criminal activity, the details shed light on how deeply he was involved in the scientific fields he funded, said Nature.
The latest batch of files disclosed new details regarding interactions between Epstein and the scientists. Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist whose science-outreach organization received 250,000 U.S. dollars from Epstein, was advised by the financier via email to offer “no comment” as Krauss responded to media inquiries about an investigation of sexual misconduct that led to Krauss’s ousting from Arizona State University in Tempe.