The president of Harvard University said Friday that Jeffrey Epstein contributed more than $9 million in gifts to the university, and that it is giving the remaining funds — about 2% of Epstein’s overall donations — to organizations supporting sexual assault and human trafficking victims.
Lawrence Bacow said the university is reviewing its policies regarding accepting potential future gifts.
Epstein, an American financier, was a convicted sex offender. He was found dead in his New York jail cell in August.
Bacow said he requested a “full review” of Epstein’s donations in September. Epstein donated $9.1 million to the university between 1998 and 2008, the year he was convicted.
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Bacow said the remaining $200,937 of Epstein’s donations are being divided between My Life My Choice in Boston and New York-based Girls Educational & Mentoring Services.
“These organizations support victims of human trafficking and sexual assault,” said Bacow, adding the report “reveals institutional and individual shortcomings that must be addressed, not only for the sake of the university but also in recognition of the courageous individuals who sought to bring Epstein to justice.”
Epstein’s gifts were earmarked to support “a variety of research and faculty activities,” Bacow said.
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