According to the New York Academy of Art, the institution is giving away money donated by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before his death. Epstein served on the board of the New York Academy of Art in the early 1990s. He also participated in the school's fundraising events for several years.
Documents suggest that some contact continued even after Epstein was investigated in Florida for sexual abuse of minors. The exact amount of money Epstein donated to the school has not been disclosed. It is also unclear what specific contact continued between Epstein and the school after his Florida investigation.
The school has not detailed how it will give away the donated money, such as whether it will go to charities or be refunded. The timing of Epstein's board service and fundraising participation remains unspecified. The reason prompting the school's decision to give away the money now has not been explained.