Newly disclosed Department of Justice files have unveiled a troubling connection between disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and filmmaker Woody Allen, suggesting the convicted sex offender played a role in securing college admission for Allen's adopted daughter.
Correspondence between Allen's wife, Soon-Yi Previn, and Epstein reveals that the couple credited Epstein with helping their daughter Bechet Dumaine Allen gain acceptance to Bard College, a prestigious liberal arts institution in New York State. The emails, which date back to January 2017, show Previn expressing profound gratitude to Epstein for his alleged assistance in the admissions process.
In a message sent from Allen's email account, Previn wrote, "I can't thank you enough for getting Bechet into Bard." She explained her restrained enthusiasm, noting she was having dinner with her other daughter and didn't want to discuss the matter openly. Previn also revealed a strategic decision to keep Bechet unaware of her acceptance beforehand, believing the uncertainty would make her appreciate the opportunity more deeply.
The email continued with effusive thanks: "Thank you for coming through for us. I can't tell you how much this means to me." In a characteristically dark humor that would later seem prophetic, Previn added that Allen remarked, "when Bechet sets fire to the school, they'll have you to thank."
Bard College, which admits approximately half of its applicants, has firmly denied that Epstein wielded any actual influence over their admissions decisions. A spokesperson for college president Dr. Leon Botstein told The New York Times that Epstein was "a serial liar who apparently took credit for the sun rising each day."
The college's official statement emphasized that Bechet Allen was accepted entirely on her own merits. "The applicant referenced in the emails was accepted on the merits of her own qualifications for admission," the statement read. Bard noted that they had already welcomed other family members, making Epstein's intervention unnecessary. "Bard had already provided a welcome community for two previous family members, and no introduction was needed from the likes of Epstein."
According to the college, Dr. Botstein regularly assists anxious families during admissions season, responding to numerous requests from alumni, supporters, and community members throughout his five-decade tenure. The institution characterized Epstein's actions as a self-serving attempt to appear influential by convincing a family that his voice mattered in the process.
However, Allen and Previn clearly believed Epstein's involvement was decisive. The timeline suggests Epstein directly contacted Botstein to arrange a campus tour for Bechet, after which Previn wrote to Botstein saying, "Thank you so much for your offer to help our daughter, Bechet Allen, get into Bard College. I will take you up on the offer.;)"
The correspondence between Allen, Previn, and Epstein extended for years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he served just 13 months in a controversial plea deal. The fact that the couple maintained such close ties with a convicted pedophile—living just one block away from him—and sought his help for their teenage daughter raises serious questions about their judgment and the insular world of elite social circles.
Bechet Dumaine Allen, now 27, graduated from Bard in 2021 according to her LinkedIn profile. She and her sister Manzie Tio Allen, 26, were both adopted by Allen and Previn. The emails show Previn carefully managing information within the family, concerned about how much her other daughter should know about Epstein's involvement.
The revelations come as part of a broader release of Epstein's communications, which have exposed numerous high-profile individuals who maintained relationships with him despite his criminal record. The documents paint a picture of Epstein actively cultivating an image of a well-connected power broker who could deliver favors and access to exclusive institutions.
This particular case highlights the complex and often opaque nature of college admissions at elite institutions, where personal connections and recommendations can create advantages not available to ordinary applicants. While Bard insists its process remained merit-based, the perception of influence—and the efforts Epstein made to create that perception—demonstrates how wealthy individuals can manipulate systems even without direct authority.
The dark irony of Allen—a filmmaker whose own career was derailed by scandal—relying on Epstein's assistance cannot be overlooked. Both figures have faced public condemnation for their treatment of young women, making their continued association particularly disturbing. The joke about Bechet "setting fire to the school" takes on a more ominous tone when viewed through the lens of the destructive influence both men have had on the lives of young people.
For Bard College, the revelation presents a reputational challenge. While the institution maintains its integrity, the association with Epstein, however tangential, forces it to defend its admissions practices publicly. The college's swift and unequivocal denial suggests an awareness of how damaging even the appearance of impropriety can be in the competitive world of higher education.
The case also raises broader questions about accountability in college admissions. As institutions increasingly face scrutiny over legacy preferences and donor influence, the Epstein-Allen connection serves as a stark reminder of how informal networks can potentially subvert meritocratic ideals. Even if Bard's denial is accurate, the belief among Allen and Previn that Epstein could deliver such a favor points to a culture where access is currency.
Ultimately, these emails reveal more than just a single college admission. They expose the persistent connections between wealthy, powerful individuals separated by mere city blocks, united by their ability to navigate scandal while preserving their social capital. For the Allen family, Epstein remained a useful friend long after his conviction. For Epstein, the Allens represented another opportunity to prove his continued relevance and influence.
The tragedy lies not just in the alleged favor, but in the normalization of relationships with convicted criminals within elite circles. That Allen and Previn would trust a known pedophile with their daughter's future—regardless of whether his influence was real or imagined—speaks volumes about the moral compromises accepted when power and privilege are at stake.