Yale Professor Defends Emailing Epstein About 'Gorgeous' Student

David Gelernter stands by recommendation, says men are 'obsessed with girls'

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Yale University says a prominent computer science professor, David Gelernter, will not teach classes while it reviews his conduct after newly released documents showed he sent Jeffrey Epstein an email describing an undergraduate as a 'good-looking blonde' while recommending her for a job. Gelernter defended the email, saying Epstein was 'obsessed with girls' and he was keeping 'the potential boss's habits in mind'.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about the judgment and conduct of a senior Yale professor, as well as the university's oversight of faculty behavior, particularly in light of the Epstein scandal and the power dynamics between professors, students, and wealthy individuals.

The details

In an email to Epstein in October 2011, several years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, Gelernter wrote that he had an 'editoress' in mind for a job - a Yale senior whom he described as a 'v small good-looking blonde'. Gelernter defended the email, saying he was recommending the student for a summer job with Epstein's private bank, and she wanted the recommendation. He added that he and the student did not know at the time that Epstein was a convicted sex offender.

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

The players

David Gelernter

A prominent computer science professor at Yale University who sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein describing a female Yale student as 'good-looking'.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late, disgraced financier who was a convicted sex offender.

Jeffrey Brock

The dean of Yale's School of Engineering & Applied Science, who received an email from Gelernter defending the email to Epstein.

Yale University

The university that says Gelernter's conduct is under review and that he will not teach classes while they investigate.

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What’s next

Yale University says it is reviewing Gelernter's conduct and he will not teach classes during the investigation.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for universities to have robust policies and oversight around faculty interactions with students, particularly when powerful or wealthy individuals are involved, in order to protect against potential abuses of power and unethical behavior.