Newly reviewed emails from the Jeffrey Epstein Files are indicating that Leon Botstein was aware of previous allegations against Epstein.

According to an email uncovered by the Times Union on Jan. 4, 2015, Botstein offered Epstein words of condolences a day after The Guardian published a story about Epstein’s ties to then-Prince Andrew.

The email read, “When I sent you New Year’s greetings, I was blissfully unaware of the resurgence of tabloid publicity. If there is anything I can do, let me know. True friendship, in my view, is among the most honorable and rare of virtues. And I value our friendship, so if there is any way I can be of help, let me know (not that royalty is quite up my proverbial alley). Stay well. Leon”

Botsetin did something similar on Dec. 14, 2015 after a piece in the Miami Herald. In that email the conductor said, “Given the support you have shown and the help given (despite vociferous obje=tions) I want you to know that I hope you are holding up as well as can be e=pected. Leon”

Botstein’s spokesperson David Wade denied that the conductor knew anything about past allegations and told the Times Union that Botstein “was not regularly tracking press reports about Epstein at the time” he sent the 2018 email and previously said Botstein “didn’t read about the extent of Epstein’s crimes until it became a source of widespread national news coverage after Epstein was arrested in 2019.”

Previously, Botstein sent a letter to Bard College noting that his “interactions with Epstein were always and only for the sole purpose of soliciting donations for the College. Mr. Epstein was not my friend; he was a prospective donor.” He also expressed sympathy for “Epstein’s victims.”

However, Botstein started communicating with Epstein in 2012, years after Epstein had been convicted and become registered as a sex offender. Botstein even invited Epstein to the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College and the sex offender attended a performance of “Oresteia” on July 28, 2013.