New York Times
crime
Feb 16, 2026

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

By Ed Shanahan

Transparency Analysis

Article Quality:
40%
Moderate Transparency

Primary Narrative

Columbia University has disciplined two individuals who assisted Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend in gaining admission to the university's dental college, following the release of Epstein-related documents.

Who Benefits?

Columbia University

70% confident

Demonstrates institutional accountability and integrity by publicly punishing misconduct, improving reputation management

Framing Analysis

Perspective

Institutional accountability perspective - Columbia's actions are centered as the main narrative

Tone

Critical

Language Choices

  • "Punishes" - strong enforcement language establishing institutional action
  • "Ripples through" - suggests widespread impact and ongoing consequences
  • "helped his girlfriend gain entry" - direct causal language linking Epstein to the misconduct

Omitted Perspectives

  • Detailed explanation of what the two disciplined individuals did or their response (appropriate omission given criminal context)
  • Specific details about Epstein's girlfriend and her role (limited information provided)
  • Broader context about how widespread such admissions fraud was at Columbia or other institutions

Entity Relationships

owns
Jeffrey EpsteinColumbia University

Epstein used his influence to facilitate his girlfriend's admission to Columbia's dental school | Evidence: "he helped his girlfriend gain entry" to Columbia dental college

Factual Core

Columbia University disciplined two individuals who assisted in fraudulent admission of Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend to its dental school, following the release of Epstein-related documents.

Full Article

The release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein has sent ripples through the worlds of business, politics and academia, including at Columbia, where he helped his girlfriend gain entry.