Larry Summers to Resign from Harvard Amid Epstein Email Controversy

Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has announced that he will retire from his professorship at Harvard University at the end of the academic year, following renewed scrutiny over his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Harvard confirmed that Summers has also stepped down as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. A university spokesperson said the resignation was accepted in connection with an ongoing institutional review of documents recently released by the US government concerning Epstein. Summers will remain on leave until his formal retirement and will not teach classes or supervise new students during this period.

The decision comes after fresh disclosures revealed years of personal email exchanges between Summers and Epstein. The newly released documents have intensified criticism of Summers’ judgment and professional associations. Although there are no allegations of criminal wrongdoing against Summers, the revelations have reignited public debate about his relationship with Epstein.

Summers previously acknowledged that maintaining contact with Epstein was a serious mistake. In earlier statements, he expressed regret and said he was deeply ashamed of the association. Following the resurfacing of the documents, he paused his academic duties and stepped back from public engagements.

Harvard initiated a review of individuals mentioned in the Epstein-related records, leading to Summers’ withdrawal from leadership responsibilities in November. As part of this broader review, he also resigned from various board and advisory roles outside the university.

Larry Summers has had a long and influential career in economics and public policy. He served as US Treasury Secretary during the administration of Bill Clinton and later chaired the National Economic Council under Barack Obama. During the global financial crisis, he played a significant role in shaping stimulus policies aimed at stabilising the US economy.

He also served as president of Harvard University before returning to government service and later resuming his academic career. Over decades, Summers has been regarded as one of the most prominent voices in global economic policy discussions.

Harvard has not disclosed whether disciplinary measures beyond resignation were considered. The university also did not comment on any financial arrangements related to his retirement.

Summers’ exit marks another development in the broader fallout from the Epstein scandal, which continues to affect prominent figures across politics, business, and academia. As institutions review past associations and governance practices, the episode highlights the reputational consequences that can follow controversial professional relationships.