File 031022
Email Chain: Lawrence Krauss Defends Jeffrey Epstein to Rebecca Watson (File 031022)
Email exchange between physicist Lawrence Krauss and science communicator Rebecca Watson regarding Krauss's public defense of Jeffrey Epstein in the Daily Beast, discussing accusations of sex trafficking.
Summary
In April 2011, Rebecca Watson contacted Lawrence Krauss to clarify his publicly quoted defense of Jeffrey Epstein, in which Krauss claimed to judge Epstein only on empirical evidence and his personal observations of women aged 19-23. Watson challenged Krauss's position, noting Epstein had already pleaded guilty to paying for sex with a minor. Krauss responded by characterizing Epstein as thoughtful and kind based on personal experience, arguing the masseuses likely knew what they were doing, and stating he would not abandon a friend easily. The exchange reflects the debate over Epstein's culpability and Krauss's controversial decision to maintain their friendship despite the serious criminal allegations.
From: Jeffrey Epstein [jeeyacation@gmail.com]Sent: 4/6/2011 10:15:22 PMTo: Lawrence KraussSubject: Re: Statement in the Daily Beast?no it was appreciated. thanksOn Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 11:31 PM, Lawrence Krauss H wrote:just so you know.. you can read from bottom up.. you may be mad that I was blunt... haven't heard fromyou.. hope all is well..Begin forwarded message:From: Rebecca WatsonDate: April 6, 2011 10:28:36 AM MSTTo: Lawrence Krauss __________________Subject: Re: Statement in the Daily Beast?Okay, will do.On Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 1:27 PM, Lawrence Krauss___________________wrote:ok.. I just sent an additional email which moderates this.. everyone was a victim, including Jeffrey here.. andthere was no happy resolution.. please add.. "probably everyone was a victim, with no happy resolution orconsequences of these activities", after "was the victim in this case.".On Apr 6, 2011, at 10:18 AM, Rebecca Watson wrote:Okay, thanks for this statement . . . I'll print it in full along with the article, probably today. I very, verystrongly disagree with your position and hope you eventually reconsider, but I do appreciate you taking thetime to respond.-ROn Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 1:15 PM, Lawrence Krauss ________________ wrote:jeffrey apparently paid for massages with sex... I believe him when he told me he had no idea the girls wereunderage, and I doubt that people normally are asked for or present a driver's license under suchcircumstances... Moreover, I also believe that Jeffrey is an easy target for those who want to take advantageof him... Moreover, I can say with great honesty that Jeffrey's time in prison led him to seriously examinehis life in very positive ways and I don't believe in blanket condemnations of people. He served time forsomething that was determined was inappropriate. I honestly don't know who was the victim in this case. Ifully expect that these masseuses knew what they were doing, and were not swayed to do anything withJeffrey that they were not already doing. That is not to approve of the whole behavior, but lots of peopleIHOUSE OVERSIGHT 031022know and like have behavior I don't entirely approve of. I know it is not politically correct to say that,because in general this is a very sensitive issue and all other things being equal one should take the side ofthe young women. But all things are not equal in this case, from my point of view. It is a judgement call,and I will not turn my back on a good friend so easily.On Apr 6, 2011, at 9:57 AM, Rebecca Watson wrote:Thanks for getting back to me. I was asking because I found the quote shocking . . . the evidence againstEpstein is overwhelming and he's even pled guilty to paying for sex with a minor. It's in no way scientific orrational to assume that because you never saw him with an underage girl he must actually be innocent. It ispossible for a person to be kind and generous with his friends but still a criminal paying for sex withunderage girls in his private life.I'm going to write about the topic on Skepchick, and I'll include any additional statement you'd like if youwant to provide more context or if you've changed your mind.-ROn Wed, Apr 6, 2011 at 12:50 PM, Lawrence Krauss wrote:yes it is.. Based on my direct experience with Jeffrey, which is all I can base my assessment on, he is athoughtful, kind, considerate man who is generous to his friends, and all of the women I have known whohave been associated with Jeffrey speak glowingly in the same words..why are you asking?On Apr 6, 2011, at 9:41 AM, Rebecca Watson wrote:Dear Professor Krauss,We met briefly after your talk in Ithaca a few months ago — I'm the girl on The Skeptics' Guide to theUniverse podcast. I've really enjoyed your talks and books, but I was surprised to see you quoted in theDaily Beast recently defending Jeffrey Epstein:http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-04-01/bill-clinton-katie-couric-woody-allen-jeffrey-epsteins-society-friends-close-ranks/2/Can you confirm if the following quote is accurate?"If anything, the unfortunate period he suffered has caused him to really think about what he wants to dowith his money and his time, and support knowledge," says Krauss. "Jeffrey has surrounded himself withbeautiful women and young women but they're not as young as the ones that were claimed. As a scientist Ialways judge things on empirical evidence and he always has women ages 19 to 23 around him, but I'venever seen anything else, so as a scientist, my presumption is that whatever the problems were I wouldbelieve him over other people." Though colleagues have criticized him over his relationship with Epstein,Krauss insists, "I don't feel tarnished in any way by my relationship with Jeffrey; I feel raised by it."Thanks,Rebecca WatsonHOUSE OVERSIGHT 031023Lawrence M. KraussFoundation ProfessorDirector, The ASU Origins ProjectCo-Director, Cosmology InitiativeAssoc. Dir, Beyond CenterARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesSchool of Earth and Space ExplorationPO Box 871404 I Tempe AZ 85287-1404http://krauss.faculty.asu.eduExec. AsstOrigins AssiMillLawrence M. KraussFoundation ProfessorDirector, The ASU Origins ProjectCo-Director, Cosmology InitiativeAssoc. Dir, Beyond CenterARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesSchool of Earth and Space ExplorationPO Box 871404 I Tempe AZ 85287-1404http://krauss.faculty.asu.eduExec. AsstOrigins AsstLawrence M. KraussFoundation ProfessorDirector, The ASU Origins ProjectCo-Director, Cosmology InitiativeAssoc. Dir, Beyond CenterARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesSchool of Earth and Space ExplorationP0 Box 871404 I Tem e AZ 85287-1404http://krauss.faculty.asu.eduExec. AsstOrigins AsstHOUSE OVERSIGHT 031024Lawrence M. KraussFoundation ProfessorDirector, The ASU Origins ProjectCo-Director, Cosmology InitiativeAssoc. Dir, Beyond CenterARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITYCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesSchool of Earth and Space ExplorationPO Box 871404 I Tempe AZ 85287-1404http://krauss.faculty.asu.eduExec. Asst IOrigins Ass1--***********************************************************The information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJeffrey EpsteinUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 031025