Massachusetts

MIT says Jeffrey Epstein donated $800K over 20 years

FILE - In this April 3, 2017 file photo, students walk past the "Great Dome" atop Building 10 on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, Mass. Two prominent researchers are quitting MIT's Media Lab over revelations that the famed technology research hub and its director took money from Jeffrey Epstein after he'd served time for sex offenses involving girls and young women. Ethan Zuckerman, director of the lab's Center for Civic Media, said director Joi Ito had failed to disclose the deceased financier's funding of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology incubator as well as investments Epstein made in Ito's personal venture capital fund, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The president of MIT says the university took about $800,000 from Jeffrey Epstein over 20 years and is offering an apology.

Rafael Reif also says in an email to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology community posted online Thursday night that the school will investigate and identify lessons for the future.

It was previously reported that public records showed he gave at least $200,000.

Reif's email follows the resignation of two prominent researchers from MIT's Media Lab over revelations the lab and its director, Joi Ito, took money from Epstein after he served time a decade ago for sex offenses involving underage girls.

Reif did not directly address calls for Ito's ouster.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail on Aug. 10 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.