Stetson Alumni Call for University to Distance Itself from Bondi After AG Ouster

A coalition of Stetson Law graduates demand the school reaffirm its ethics and distance itself from Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein case.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:26pm

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A dimly lit law office with a framed diploma on the wall and a single photograph of a woman on the desk, the scene conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease about the subject's actions.The Stetson alumni's call to distance the university from a controversial alumna raises questions about the lasting impact of a school's reputation on its graduates.Today in Tampa

A group of Stetson University College of Law alumni are calling on the school to publicly distance itself from Pam Bondi, a Stetson Law graduate who was recently ousted as U.S. Attorney General. The alumni say Bondi's actions, particularly around the Jeffrey Epstein case, have tarnished the reputation of the law school, and they want to see Stetson issue a statement reaffirming its ethical standards and revoking any honors given to Bondi.

Why it matters

The Stetson alumni are concerned that Bondi's actions as Attorney General, including her handling of the Epstein case, have damaged the reputation and credibility of their law school degrees. They feel the university needs to take a strong stance to distance itself from Bondi's 'disgraced tenure' in order to uphold the school's ethical standards.

The details

In a letter to the Stetson administration, the alumni coalition is demanding the school release a public statement by 9 a.m. Tuesday to 'reaffirm the school's ethical standards and explicitly distance the institution from Bondi's now disgraced tenure and handling of the Epstein files.' One Stetson alum, criminal defense attorney Rachael Reese, said she once viewed Bondi as a role model but her opinion changed during the Epstein hearings, feeling Bondi went against the ethics she was taught at Stetson.

  • Pam Bondi was recently ousted as U.S. Attorney General.
  • The alumni coalition sent their letter demanding action by 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The players

Pam Bondi

A Stetson University College of Law alumna who was recently ousted as U.S. Attorney General. Her actions, particularly around the Jeffrey Epstein case, have drawn criticism from Stetson alumni.

Rachael Reese

A Stetson Law alumna and criminal defense attorney who previously viewed Bondi as a role model but changed her opinion after Bondi's handling of the Epstein case.

Stetson University College of Law

The law school that Pam Bondi and the alumni coalition attended, and which the alumni are calling on to distance itself from Bondi.

Stetson Alumni Coalition

A group of Stetson Law graduates who are demanding the university take action to reaffirm its ethical standards and distance itself from Bondi.

Carmen Edmonds

The chair of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, who feels Bondi did a good job as Attorney General and will continue to be an asset to the Trump administration.

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What they’re saying

“I just wanted this picture in my office as kind of a constant reminder of what I don't want to be like. The actual, the morals, the ethics, the things that I was taught. I want to make sure that I'm always upholding those and I'm always kind of reaching towards those.”

— Rachael Reese, Stetson Law Alumna and Criminal Defense Attorney

“This person that had been a role model is now kind of going against everything that you thought you were both taught.”

— Rachael Reese, Stetson Law Alumna and Criminal Defense Attorney

“We all know President Trump speaks his mind. So I think that if it was really a disaster and really something he was really mad about, he would come out and say it.”

— Carmen Edmonds, Chair, Hillsborough County Republican Party

What’s next

The Stetson Alumni Coalition has demanded the university release a statement reaffirming its ethical standards and distancing the institution from Bondi's actions by 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the tension between a university's reputation and the actions of its high-profile alumni, particularly when those actions are seen as unethical or damaging. The Stetson alumni are seeking to protect the integrity of their law degrees by pushing the university to take a strong stance against Bondi's conduct.