Baylor Grad Inadvertently Named in Epstein Files

Jeff Wittekiend, a former assistant to Baylor's president, was involved in a chance encounter with Jeffrey Epstein in 2012.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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In 2012, shortly after graduating from Baylor University, Jeff Wittekiend took a job as a special assistant to the president of the university, Ken Starr. That summer, Starr hosted a visit from disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Wittekiend was tasked with driving Epstein and his girlfriend around campus. Though Wittekiend was unaware of Epstein's criminal history at the time, his name ended up being included in the trove of Epstein-related files released by the Department of Justice, much to Wittekiend's dismay.

Why it matters

Wittekiend's brief and tangential involvement with Epstein has now landed him in the spotlight, raising concerns about how his name ended up in the Epstein files despite his limited role. This case highlights the far-reaching implications of the Epstein scandal and the challenges faced by those peripherally connected to it, even years later.

The details

As part of his job assisting Starr, Wittekiend was responsible for various tasks, including scheduling and driving the university president. In July 2012, Starr's assistant arranged for Epstein and his girlfriend to visit the Baylor campus. Wittekiend and a coworker were tasked with giving Epstein and his companion a brief tour, during which Wittekiend noted Epstein's strange behavior and awkward attempts at small talk. Wittekiend was not present for Epstein's meeting with Starr and was unaware of Epstein's criminal history at the time.

  • In July 2012, Epstein visited the Baylor University campus.
  • Wittekiend graduated from Baylor University shortly before taking the assistant job in 2012.

The players

Jeff Wittekiend

A former Baylor University graduate who worked as a special assistant to the university president, Ken Starr, in 2012.

Ken Starr

The former president of Baylor University who hosted Jeffrey Epstein's visit to the campus in 2012.

Jeffrey Epstein

A disgraced financier who was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution in 2008 and was the subject of a high-profile sex trafficking investigation.

Karyna Shuliak

Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend at the time of his visit to Baylor University in 2012.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't know him from Adam at that point. We came to find out in preparation for the meeting that he was a former client of Judge Starr. That's about all we knew.”

— Jeff Wittekiend, Former Baylor University assistant (chron.com)

“He was just a strange guy. He would kind of look at you for too long without saying anything, and the questions he would ask weren't invasive but would just kind of jump around from one topic to the other. It was a very strange conversation.”

— Jeff Wittekiend, Former Baylor University assistant (chron.com)

“I was like, 'Man, no wonder he was such a creep. What a strange person for Judge Starr to maintain this personal relationship with.' Looking back on it, I don't recall any of Judge Starr's other former clients ever coming to pay him a visit.”

— Jeff Wittekiend, Former Baylor University assistant (chron.com)

What’s next

Wittekiend is concerned about how his name being included in the Epstein files could impact his future job prospects, and he hopes the ongoing scrutiny and public disclosure of information related to Epstein's associates will lead to greater accountability.

The takeaway

This case highlights the far-reaching consequences of the Epstein scandal, as even those with tangential connections to the disgraced financier find themselves unexpectedly embroiled in the fallout. It raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the treatment of those peripherally involved in high-profile investigations.