Documents Reveal Extensive Ties Between Duke Professor and Jeffrey Epstein

Emails show professor Dan Ariely communicated with Epstein hundreds of times over a decade

Published on Feb. 2, 2026

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Newly released documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act have revealed extensive communications between Duke University professor Dan Ariely and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ariely's name appears over 600 times in emails between 2009 and 2019, showing the two met up multiple times in New York and that Ariely sought Epstein's connections, including to interview convicted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff. The documents raise questions about the nature of Ariely and Epstein's relationship.

Why it matters

The revelations about Ariely's ties to Epstein come as Duke University and other academic institutions face increased scrutiny over their associations with the disgraced financier, who used his wealth and connections to gain access to elite circles. The documents shed light on how Epstein leveraged his relationships with professors and researchers to further his own interests.

The details

The emails show Ariely, a professor of business administration at Duke, communicated extensively with Epstein over nearly a decade. Ariely invited Epstein to multiple talks he gave and asked Epstein to connect him with people he could interview, including Bernie Madoff. In one email, Ariely requested Epstein provide the contact information of a 'redhead' who had been with Epstein, saying she 'seemed very very smart.' The documents also reveal Epstein organized a private tour of the Ferrari factory for Ariely in 2018.

  • The first mention of Ariely appears in April 2009, when Epstein reached out about having Ariely speak at an event.
  • Emails show Ariely and Epstein met up in New York multiple times between 2010 and 2015.
  • In November 2015, Ariely reached out to Epstein to introduce him to Noel Biderman, the former CEO of Ashley Madison.
  • In 2017, Ariely asked Epstein for advice on 'a few different adventures,' leading to a private Ferrari factory tour in March 2018.
  • The most recent emails are from March 2019, just months before Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.

The players

Dan Ariely

A professor of business administration at Duke University who specializes in behavioral economics and dishonesty. The newly released documents show extensive communications between Ariely and Jeffrey Epstein over nearly a decade.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender and disgraced financier who used his wealth and connections to gain access to elite circles, including academia.

Bernie Madoff

A famous Ponzi schemer who defrauded investors of billions of dollars. Ariely sought to interview Madoff through his connection to Epstein.

Noel Biderman

The former CEO of Ashley Madison, an online dating service for people seeking extramarital affairs. Ariely sought to introduce Biderman to Epstein in 2015.

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What they’re saying

“Would you send me the name and email of the redhead that was here with you? She seemed very very smart and I would love to be able to meet her again at some point.”

— Dan Ariely, Professor (Emails)

“Sorry about this. How are you in general?”

— Dan Ariely, Professor (Emails)

What’s next

Duke University and Professor Ariely have not responded to requests for comment on the newly released documents. It remains to be seen if the university will launch an investigation into the extent of Ariely's ties to Epstein.

The takeaway

The revelations about Professor Ariely's extensive communications with Jeffrey Epstein over nearly a decade raise serious questions about the nature of their relationship and the ethics of academic institutions' associations with disgraced figures like Epstein. This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in higher education's relationships with wealthy donors and controversial individuals.