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A Congressional Inquiry, a Disputed Email, and Botstein’s Final Exit From Bard

Episode 78: A Congressional Inquiry, a Disputed Email, and Botstein’s Final Exit From Bard

Emily Sachar explains Leon Botstein’s full exit from Bard, the disputed Epstein email, whistleblower claims, and what Bard’s leaders promise next.

Show notes

Last week, Leon Botstein resigned from every remaining Bard-affiliated position. That includes his professorship, The Orchestra Now and the college’s music programs. It came after Representatives Jamie Raskin and Madeleine Dean called for a federal investigation into his possible involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Publisher Walter Mullin sits down with Daily Catch founder and editor-in-chief Emily Sachar to sort out what the reporting establishes and what remains unresolved.

Emily explains the two separate strands in the congressional material. One is Botstein’s relationship with Epstein. The other is whistleblower allegations about sexual misconduct and the handling of Title IX complaints at Bard. She also explains why The Daily Catch held a disputed 2014 email for months, what changed that made it newsworthy, and what evidence could settle who wrote it. They discuss acting president Jonathan Becker’s response, unanswered questions about the earlier WilmerHale review, the mood on campus, and what Botstein’s departure means for The Orchestra Now, SummerScape, the Bard Music Festival and the Conservatory.

This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse and allegations of sexual misconduct. Read the full coverage at thedailycatch.org.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

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Guests

Emily Sachar

Emily Sachar

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Walter Mullin

Walter Mullin

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