Yale Professor Recommended 'Good-Looking Blonde' Student to Epstein

Professor David Gelernter defends his email, saying he was keeping Epstein's 'habits in mind'.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Yale University has placed a prominent computer science professor, David Gelernter, on leave while it reviews his conduct after newly released documents showed he sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein describing an undergraduate student as a 'good-looking blonde' while recommending her for a job. Gelernter has defended the email, saying he was keeping Epstein's 'habits in mind' and that the student wanted the recommendation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal, with more public figures facing scrutiny over their connections to the disgraced financier. It also raises questions about the appropriateness of professors recommending students based on physical appearance rather than merit, and Yale's handling of the situation.

The details

The email from Gelernter to Epstein was sent in October 2011, several years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. In the email, Gelernter described a Yale senior he was recommending for a job as a 'v small good-looking blonde.' Gelernter has defended the email, saying he was keeping Epstein's 'habits in mind' and that the student wanted the recommendation. Yale has placed Gelernter on leave while it reviews his conduct, stating that the university 'does not condone the action taken by the professor or his described manner of providing recommendations for his students.'

  • In October 2011, Gelernter sent the email to Epstein describing the student.
  • In late January 2026, the Epstein-related documents containing the email were released by the U.S. Justice Department.

The players

David Gelernter

A prominent computer science professor at Yale University who sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein describing a student as a 'good-looking blonde' while recommending her for a job.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late, disgraced financier who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and faced federal charges of sexually abusing dozens of girls before his death by suicide in 2019.

Jeffrey Brock

The dean of Yale's School of Engineering & Applied Science, to whom Gelernter emailed a defense of his message to Epstein.

Kris Aziabor

A 21-year-old senior from Atkinson, New Hampshire who was a student in Gelernter's computer science class and expressed shock at Gelernter's links to Epstein.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm very glad I wrote the note.”

— David Gelernter, Professor (Yale Daily News)

“The university's Smoking Gun is a personal, private email, dug out of the dump of Epstein files. (If someone handed you a stack of other people's private correspondence, would you dive in and read them? Of course not. Gentlemen and ladies don't read each other's mail. (Courtesy 101.)”

— David Gelernter, Professor (Hearst Connecticut Media Group)

“I think there was definitely an initial kind of like wave of shock, just because you know I think it just sounds ridiculous that one of your professors, like someone who is teaching you, is literally in these Epstein files.”

— Kris Aziabor, Student (Associated Press)

What’s next

The university will complete its review of Gelernter's conduct before deciding whether he can return to teaching his computer science class.

The takeaway

This case highlights the continued scrutiny of public figures over their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the need for universities to carefully evaluate the appropriateness of faculty recommendations, especially those that focus on a student's physical appearance rather than their academic or professional qualifications.