COLUMBUS – Ohio State University says it is reviewing donations it received from financier Jeffrey Epstein who’s now facing sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.
Epstein is a convicted sex offender whose crimes are reprehensible, and his association with these gifts to the university is concerning. Ohio State is conducting a complete review of the giving history to the university by Epstein and known associated entities and will take additional action as appropriate. –statement from The Ohio State University
The university said in a statement Tuesday that Epstein’s private foundation anonymously donated $2.5 million to Ohio State in 2007 and that Epstein donated $1,000 to the Wexner Center for the Arts Membership Fund in 1990.
According to the statement, the COUQ Foundation, which is reported to be Epstein’s private foundation, anonymously donated $2.5 million to the university in May 2007. The money, along with a donation from the Leslie H. Wexner Charitable Fund, made up a $5 million pledge toward the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Epstein was a long-time financial advisor for Wexner, the billionaire CEO of the company behind Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, but Wexner says he severed ties with Epstein 12 years ago and was unaware of his crimes
Epstein has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of underage girls.