Columbia disciplines two dental officials after Epstein girlfriend admitted through ‘irregular process’
Columbia University has removed a former College of Dental Medicine professor and stripped administrative duties from another senior official after determining that Jeffrey Epstein’s then-girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, was admitted in 2012 through what the university described as an “irregular process.”
The action follows the release of U.S. Department of Justice records on Jan. 30 that show Epstein corresponded with College of Dental Medicine officials about Shuliak’s admission after she was initially rejected.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Feb. 11, the university said it had “taken action” against two officials affiliated with the dental school who maintained relationships with Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Full details of Shuliak’s admission were reported by Columbia Spectator, the university’s independent student newspaper.
Dr. Thomas Magnani, Dental ’80, a former professor and admissions review committee member — and Epstein’s personal dentist — has been removed by Columbia. Letty Moss-Salentijn, the Edward V. Zegarelli Professor of Dental Medicine and vice dean for curricular innovation and interprofessional education, will step down from her administrative roles. The university did not specify whether she will continue teaching.
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Rejection, then admission
Shuliak, a Belarusian dental student, was rejected from Columbia’s class of 2016 on Feb. 6, 2012. By Feb. 23, internal communications indicate plans were underway for her to enrol as a transfer student. She was admitted in May 2012 and graduated in 2015.
Emails released by the Justice Department show Epstein referred to Shuliak as his “girlfriend” in correspondence with university officials.
In April 2011, Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, and senior administrators arranged a special tour of the College of Dental Medicine for Shuliak as a “favor” to Magnani, according to emails cited by Spectator.
“He says not to rock the boat. She is with the most powerful people there who are already meeting halfway and moving things around to accommodate her,” Groff wrote in an email cited by The New York Times.
On May 31, 2012, then-dean Ira Lamster wrote to Epstein confirming that Shuliak would join the college in September. He noted that her visa would not pose an issue due to her “special status,” and said academic leadership had already coordinated her course schedule and clinical responsibilities.
Lamster, who served as dean from 2001 to 2012 and left the university in 2017, acknowledged in a statement that he alerted admissions officials to Shuliak’s interest in Columbia’s international training program after Epstein asked him to.
“At that time we were pursuing a major gift from JE, and it was logical to agree to JE’s request,” Lamster wrote to Spectator, adding that admissions staff were told to judge her application on its merits. He later said there was “no quid pro quo,” though he acknowledged the “optics were not ideal.”
Overall, Columbia said it received US$210,000 in total from Epstein‑related funds and will donate the same amount to nonprofits aiding survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Related: Alberta court eases college’s discipline for Edmonton dentist facing sexual assault charges
Admissions review underway
Columbia said it will review the College of Dental Medicine’s admissions processes “for integrity and consistency with Columbia policies.”
“A student was admitted to the dental school through an irregular process, coinciding with fundraising solicitations by former academic and alumni leadership of the school,” the university said. It added that the fundraising discussions were undertaken by dental school leadership at the time and not at the direction of the medical centre or broader university administration.
Broader academic repercussions
Columbia’s action follows similar scrutiny at other elite U.S. universities over historical ties to Epstein.
Yale University recently removed a tenured computer science professor from teaching duties as it investigates his conduct after federal documents revealed a lengthy correspondence with Epstein. Harvard University’s former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers stepped back from duties last year after emails showed ongoing contact with Epstein through 2019.
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Former Prince Andrew arrested amid Epstein links
In a separate development, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
A U.K. police force said Feb. 19, Thursday that it was “assessing” reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who is King Charles III’s brother, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.
King Charles: ‘Law must take its course’
Following the arrest, King Charles III released a statement expressing his “deepest concern” and emphasising that “the law must take its course” as the matter is investigated by the appropriate authorities. The monarch noted that the royal family would offer its “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” to the probe.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Prominent news outlets note it is the first arrest of a senior British royal in modern history.
(With files from the Associated Press)
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