Epstein’s Donations to Harvard Group Continued Post-Conviction
Even after Jeffrey Epstein was recognized as a convicted sex offender, he remained a prominent supporter of an exclusive group of organizations established by Harvard University students. For years, he successfully gathered a table filled with “girls” at an annual gala that showcased celebrities, billionaires, and cultural luminaries. Annual donations of no less than $50,000 to the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 — a nonprofit organization encompassing a social club, theater troupe, and a cappella singers — earned him the title of “Guardian of the Sphinx” at the Order of the Golden Sphinx galas held in New York from at least 2013 to 2019. His last invitation arrived mere months prior to his indictment on federal sex-trafficking charges, after which he took his own life in a Manhattan jail. Documents released by the Justice Department, including emails sent by an assistant, reveal that Epstein frequently surrounded himself with female acquaintances at his table. “Hello girls!” In 2015, Epstein’s assistant communicated, “Jeffrey would like you all to attend the Hasty Pudding Gala on April 13 at the Plaza Hotel,” to recipients whose identities were redacted. “Let me know if you can go and who else we can invite to make the 10 (with JE approval of course ;)” To one invitee, the assistant highlighted an opportunity to “wear a fancy dress and shoes!”
The extensive collection of emails within the DOJ files has uncovered the ways in which Epstein leveraged institutions, including prestigious universities, as components of his network. They also indicate that Harvard’s connection to Epstein’s web of influence may run deeper than previously known, given newly released correspondence with professors, donors, and societies. The social club is described as “a cornerstone of the Harvard experience,” according to the organisation’s website. It is the oldest club of its kind in the United States and boasts five former US presidents as members. “There is no other collegiate organisation quite like it in the world,” the website states. A spokesperson for Harvard did not provide a response to inquiries regarding Epstein’s association with the Hasty Pudding Institute. According to documents from the Justice Department, Epstein contributed a minimum of $375,000 to the organization from 2013 until his death. The Harvard Crimson previously reported that figure. Emails in the documents reveal that in 2018, Epstein inquired of Andrew Farkas, a prominent real estate figure and supporter of Harvard who chairs the Hasty Pudding Institute, whether he desired his table of 10 at the gala. Farkas responded, “yes pls.” Farkas and Epstein exchanged nearly 2,000 messages that were released as part of the DOJ trove, and their relationship spanned more than a decade.
The Hasty Pudding Institute stated in an emailed response to inquiries that it is “perpetually focused on doing right.” The organisation stated that it has contributed to a charity aiding trafficking victims in a sum that “far” surpasses the donations Epstein made to the club. A representative for the undergraduates of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals stated that the current staff, crew, and cast had no connection to Jeffrey Epstein. “Any prior donation by him to our organisation is reprehensible, should never have happened, and is wholly inconsistent with the values and culture of the Theatricals.” Farkas stated “I deeply regret ever having met this individual, but at no time have I conducted myself inappropriately. There has been no evidence of any wrongdoing or impropriety.” Harvard has been aware for years of its connection to Jeffrey Epstein and has initiated several investigations into its associations with the convicted sex offender. Epstein engaged in discussions and partnerships with prominent benefactors of Harvard, communicated with university faculty, and provided guidance on admissions to colleagues and their offspring, as indicated by the DOJ files. In emails, Epstein and his assistants often referenced intentions to be present on campus for meetings. Although Epstein’s extensive connections with Harvard have been recognized, the depth of his association with Hasty Pudding has not been as thoroughly recorded. The organisation — akin to numerous others that received donations from Epstein — represents a hallmark of status and tradition, and Epstein leveraged his contributions to rehabilitate his image. In a press release from March 2014, he characterized his donations as a continuation of his contributions to Harvard.
In March of 2019, Epstein was queried by his assistant regarding whether he wished to invite guests to that year’s gala or prefer to donate the table for others to utilize, as per the DOJ files. He seems to have started organizing to fill his table, but in the end, he relinquished it. In July 2019, Epstein was arrested, with prosecutors in New York alleging he had abused girls as young as 14. Epstein was discovered deceased a month later. Additional invitations extended to “girls” to join Epstein at the Hasty Pudding gala included a last-minute request in 2015, made after the event had already commenced, to add “another girl” to replace someone who was unable to attend. “Thank you for including me last night,” wrote one attendee after the 2014 gala. “It was enjoyable to reconnect with all the girls.” In that same year, Epstein’s assistant inquired whether the financier should arrange for one of the invitees to be flown to New York for the event. “No have her come straight to island,” he replied. In 2018, an event organiser inquired whether Epstein’s donation that year should be attributed to “Anonymous” in the printed program. Epstein replied with “full name,” as revealed in emails released by the Justice Department. At the gala, attendees of the Guardians of the Sphinx enjoy a prime table for speeches, award presentations, and performances from both undergraduate and alumni members of the institute’s theater and a cappella groups, in addition to access to a VIP after-party. Guests are presented with dinner alongside the traditional Hasty Pudding dessert. Hasty Pudding has honored notable individuals at its annual events for centuries, featuring prominent figures such as Marc Anthony, Neil Patrick Harris, and Dr. Oz in recent years. A report from Harvard in 2020 revealed that the university accepted over $9 million in donations from Epstein between 1998 and 2008 — a period that included his guilty plea to Florida state charges related to the procurement of a minor for prostitution — aimed at funding research and faculty initiatives. No gifts were received from Epstein following his conviction.
In November, Harvard announced its intention to reevaluate its ties to Epstein following the release of a previous set of documents that revealed substantial correspondence with Larry Summers, a professor at the institution and its former president. Summers, who has expressed regret regarding his association with Epstein, took a leave of absence from teaching and withdrew from other public positions. The ongoing review encompasses donors to the university referenced in the Epstein documents, as stated by Jason Newton. In 2011, Harvard announced the renaming of its New College Theatre to “Farkas Hall” in honor of the contributions made by Farkas, a graduate of the university from the class of 1982. He is also noted for pledging at least $100,000 to Harvard’s Stem Cell Institute in 2013. That marks the same year he initiated the gala for the Hasty Pudding Institute. The effects on its finances are evident in the group’s tax filings. In 2012, the institute reported contributions totaling $197,898. In 2013, the figure surged to nearly $1.6 million. In 2007, Farkas appointed Epstein as a partner in a small marina and initiated communication with him regarding donations to Hasty Pudding as early as 2012. In 2013, Epstein’s assistant stated that it was unnecessary for the men to engage in phone conversations, as Epstein would contribute “no matter what :).” That year, he contributed $75,000 through two distinct payments.
