Columbia Punishes 2 Who Helped Epstein's Girlfriend Enter Dental College

University cuts ties with officials who aided Karyna Shuliak's admission despite irregular process

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Columbia University has taken disciplinary action against two people affiliated with its dental college after documents revealed they helped Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, gain admission through an irregular process. The university is also donating $210,000 in Epstein-related funds to nonprofits supporting survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Why it matters

The revelations about Epstein's influence in getting his girlfriend admitted to Columbia's dental school add to the ongoing fallout from the release of millions of pages of files related to the disgraced financier's activities, which have sent ripples through the worlds of business, politics, and academia.

The details

According to the documents, Dr. Thomas Magnani, Epstein's dentist, was the point person in securing Shuliak's admission, arranging a tour of the college and reviving her initially rejected application. Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn, who was Shuliak's mentor, also helped develop a personalized study plan for her after she was admitted. In return, Epstein donated $100,000 to a public health project run by the then-dean of the dental college and $50,000 to the school's annual fund in Shuliak's honor.

  • In 2012, Shuliak's initial application to the dental college was rejected.
  • After Epstein said he was considering a donation, several influential people at the school moved to ensure Shuliak got in.
  • Shuliak graduated from the dental college in 2015.
  • In 2019, Columbia became aware of the communications between Epstein and the dental college representatives.
  • In 2026, Columbia announced the disciplinary actions against Magnani and Moss-Salentijn.

The players

Karyna Shuliak

The last person Jeffrey Epstein spoke to by phone before his death, who Epstein paid for dental school tuition and other courses. She graduated from Columbia's dental college in 2015.

Dr. Thomas Magnani

Epstein's dentist, who was the point person in securing Shuliak's admission to Columbia's dental college, arranging a tour and reviving her initially rejected application.

Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn

A faculty member at Columbia's dental college who was Shuliak's mentor and helped develop a personalized study plan for her after she was admitted.

Dr. Ira B. Lamster

The dean of Columbia's dental college at the time, who received a $100,000 donation from Epstein for a public health project.

Lesley Groff

Epstein's assistant, who communicated with Dr. Magnani about Shuliak's admission process.

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What they’re saying

“He says not to rock the boat. She is with the most powerful people there who are already meeting halfway and moving things around to accommodate her.”

— Lesley Groff, Epstein's assistant (New York Times)

“was Karyna's mentor and did the most to help her get in and finish up dental school.”

— Dr. Thomas Magnani, Epstein's dentist (New York Times)

What’s next

The university said it has identified $210,000 in donations from 'entities related to' Epstein, and will be donating that amount to two New York nonprofit organizations that support survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling influence that wealthy and powerful individuals like Epstein can wield over academic institutions, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the admissions process to prevent such irregularities from occurring.