ARMI Board to Discuss Kamen's Epstein Ties

Revelations about Dean Kamen's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein prompt review at government-funded research institute.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55pm

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The board of directors for ARMI, the government-funded Manchester research project led by inventor Dean Kamen, is meeting to discuss the next steps in the wake of newly released documents showing Kamen's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This comes as revelations last week about Kamen's relationship with Epstein prompted FIRST, the youth-based robotics organization he founded, to hire an outside law firm to review his conduct while he takes a leave of absence.

Why it matters

Kamen is a prominent figure in New Hampshire and has helped secure hundreds of millions in federal funding for ARMI's research. The revelations about his ties to Epstein have raised concerns about his leadership and oversight of the government-backed institute.

The details

The board of directors for ARMI, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, is convening to discuss the current situation surrounding Dean Kamen's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Kamen, who serves as ARMI's executive director and board chairman, has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, but newly released documents show he had phone calls, emails, and shared travel with Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes against minors.

  • On Monday, ARMI board member Blake Moret confirmed the board is meeting to discuss the 'current situation'.
  • Last week, revelations about Kamen's ties to Epstein prompted FIRST, Kamen's youth robotics organization, to hire an outside law firm to review his conduct.

The players

Dean Kamen

The executive director and board chairman of ARMI, the government-funded Manchester research project. Kamen is a prominent inventor and the founder of the FIRST youth robotics organization.

Blake Moret

A member of ARMI's board of directors.

Stefany Shaheen

A Democratic candidate for United States Congress in New Hampshire who has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars as a consultant for ARMI in recent years.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender with whom Kamen had phone calls, emails, and shared travel in the years after Epstein's 2008 conviction.

FIRST

The youth-based robotics organization founded by Dean Kamen, which has hired an outside law firm to review Kamen's conduct.

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What they’re saying

“We must address this matter independently.”

— Stefany Shaheen, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress

“I have no knowledge of any of the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein or his associates other than what I have learned from news reports.”

— Dean Kamen

What’s next

The ARMI board of directors is meeting to discuss the next steps regarding Dean Kamen's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. FIRST, Kamen's youth robotics organization, has also hired an outside law firm to review his conduct.

The takeaway

The revelations about Dean Kamen's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have raised serious concerns about Kamen's leadership and oversight of the government-funded ARMI research institute in Manchester. The ARMI board's independent review will be closely watched as the community grapples with the implications of these disturbing connections.