A former professor at the Australian National University (ANU), Lawrence M. Krauss, described the late Jeffrey Epstein as a “thoughtful, kind and considerate man” in emails recently released as part of the Epstein files. These communications reveal Krauss’s defense of Epstein, who was accused of child sex trafficking and abuse before his death in custody in 2019.
In an email dated April 2011, Krauss responded to a blogger’s inquiry about his friendship with Epstein, asserting that based on his “direct experience,” Epstein exhibited generosity towards his friends. “All of the women I have known who have been associated with Jeffrey speak glowingly in the same words,” he wrote.
The correspondence between Krauss and Epstein also highlights a troubling connection regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against Krauss himself. In a 2017 email, he sought Epstein’s advice on how to respond to inquiries about accusations of sexual harassment stemming from an incident at a Melbourne conference in November 2016. According to reports, Krauss was accused of inappropriate behavior when a woman alleged he grabbed her breast during a photo opportunity.
Epstein’s advice to Krauss included preparing a detailed cover letter to counter the allegations, which he claimed were false. “These [allegations] are false. They were either investigated and found lacking or ignored,” Epstein wrote in the email. The woman had filed a complaint with ANU and other institutions associated with Krauss, leading to his suspension during the investigation. An ANU spokesperson later stated that the university found the allegations unsubstantiated.
Following the release of these emails, Krauss expressed his shock at Epstein’s arrest, stating he had never concealed his acquaintance with Epstein. “I sought out advice from essentially everyone I knew when false allegations about me were circulated in the press in 2018,” he said. He emphasized that his communications with Epstein had no connection to the serious crimes Epstein was later accused of.
Krauss maintained that he was surprised by Epstein’s arrest, aligning his reaction with the general public’s astonishment. He stated, “I was as shocked as the rest of the world when he was arrested.”
In additional exchanges, Epstein provided Krauss with further strategic advice regarding media inquiries related to allegations of sexual abuse against himself in 2017. His emails included suggestions on how to navigate potentially damaging questions, indicating a level of familiarity with the media landscape surrounding such allegations.
The emails also reflect a troubling sense of humor regarding serious issues. In a 2018 correspondence about an upcoming Women of the World conference, Krauss jokingly suggested organizing a “Men of the World” conference, proposing controversial figures such as Kevin Spacey, Bill Clinton, and Woody Allen, all of whom have faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
As the fallout from the Epstein case continues to unfold, these revelations underline the complexities of personal and professional relationships within academic and public spheres. The implications of Krauss’s emails raise questions about the responsibilities of public figures when confronting allegations of misconduct, both theirs and those of their acquaintances.
