Child Safety Nonprofit Tied to Steyer's Brother Has Epstein Connections

Common Sense Media board members have past ties to Jeffrey Epstein, raising concerns about the organization's leadership.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:37pm

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Jim Steyer's nonprofit Common Sense Media, which aims to protect children online, has multiple board members with past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While the organization claims there are "no concerns" about these connections, the revelations have raised questions about the judgment and vetting process of some board members, including a former Manhattan district attorney and a Harvard professor who maintained contact with Epstein.

Why it matters

Common Sense Media is a prominent children's advocacy organization, so any connections between its leadership and the disgraced financier Epstein could undermine public trust in the group's mission and ability to effectively protect minors. The revelations also raise broader concerns about the influence of wealthy elites with ties to Epstein in the nonprofit and political spheres.

The details

Several Common Sense Media board members have documented ties to Epstein, including Tim Zagat, the founder of Zagat Survey, who was listed on Epstein's private jet flight logs, and Geraldine Laybourne, who served as president of Nickelodeon and claimed she did not know the plane belonged to Epstein. The organization also brought on Harvard professor Howard Gardner, who maintained email correspondence with Epstein. Additionally, former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who faced criticism for his handling of an Epstein case, joined the CSM board in 2024.

  • In 2023, Geraldine Laybourne claimed she did not know the plane she flew on belonged to Epstein.
  • In 2024, Cyrus Vance Jr. joined the CSM board.
  • Common Sense Media will be hosting a conference next week that will include many industry experts and Democratic politicians as speakers.

The players

Jim Steyer

The brother of billionaire California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, and the founder of Common Sense Media.

Tim Zagat

The founder and former CEO of Zagat Survey, a fine dining rating service, who was reported to have repeatedly visited dining establishments with Epstein and is listed in Epstein's flight logbook.

Geraldine Laybourne

A former president of Nickelodeon who was mentioned as a passenger on one of Epstein's private jet flights in 2002.

Howard Gardner

A celebrated scholar best known for his research on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, who maintained contact with Epstein long after news of his crimes had surfaced.

Cyrus Vance Jr.

A former district attorney for Manhattan from 2010 to 2021 who joined CSM's board in 2024 despite past backlash over his office's insistence that Epstein should receive more lenient treatment.

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What they’re saying

“Having reviewed the related references here, we have no concerns about these individuals. Common Sense Media remains the leading non-partisan children's advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the best interest of America's children and families.”

— Common Sense Media spokesperson

“Once [Epstein] had been arrested, I made it clear to him that I could no longer accept any funding but, as a friend and beneficiary of his philanthropy, I tried to be supportive.”

— Howard Gardner, Harvard professor

“I have never met, or communicated with Mr. Epstein in any form.”

— Cyrus Vance Jr., Former Manhattan District Attorney

What’s next

Common Sense Media is hosting a conference next week that will include many industry experts and Democratic politicians as speakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. The revelations about the organization's board members' ties to Epstein are likely to be a topic of discussion and scrutiny at the event.

The takeaway

The connections between Common Sense Media's leadership and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein raise serious questions about the organization's judgment and vetting process, potentially undermining public trust in its mission to protect children online. This case highlights the broader issue of wealthy elites with Epstein ties wielding influence in the nonprofit and political spheres, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in these spaces.