Yale University: 'Conduct' Of Professor Whose Name Appears In Epstein Files 563 Times, 'Under Review'

NEW HAVEN, CT — Yale University is investigating computer science professor David Gelernter and until that review is completed and a decision made, "the professor will not teach his class," a Yale spokesperson told Patch late Tuesday night.

In an email requesting Gelernter's status, Karen Peart, Associate Vice President for Communications, said, given the professor's years-long communication with Jeffrey Epstein, as established in more than 550 documents in the Department of Justice Epstein files, "the professor’s conduct is under review."

"Last week, leadership in the School of Engineering and Applied Science became aware of reports regarding communication between a professor and a party external to the Yale community; the professor later both acknowledged and defended this communication and the action he took in connection with the communication," Peart said.

When it was learned Tuesday that Gelernter shared with his students that he was "relieved" of his teaching duties, Yale confirmed that. And, for the first time publicly, acknowledged Gelernter's correspondence with Epstein.

Yale's 'about page' on Gelernter is voluminous.

In addition to being a Yale professor, he is, "chief scientist at Mirror Worlds Technologies, contributing editor at the Weekly Standard and member of the National Council of the Arts. He's the author of several books and many technical articles; also essays, art criticism and fiction," it's noted.

"Yale is committed to excellence in the classroom and to fostering an environment in which all members of our community feel respected and valued," she said. "The university does not condone the action taken by the professor or his described manner of providing recommendations for his students."

Last week, the Yale Daily News published an exhaustive report on Gelernter's email exchanges with Epstein, correspondence that began in 2009 and ended in October of 2015 after Epstein declined to invest in Gelernter's son's software company.

Read the Yale Daily News report here.

An email to Gelernter for comment was not immediately returned. A phone number for Gelernter was not in service. This post will be updated should a response be received.