Professor David Gelernter sits in his office at Yale University on August 28, 1997 in New Haven, Connecticut.
Brad Clift | Hartford Courant | AP
Yale University announced Wednesday that professor David Gelernter will be prohibited from teaching computer science classes until further notice as the university investigates his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. That included mentioning Yale University students about potential projects.
Mr. Gelernter’s extensive email correspondence with Mr. Epstein came to light after the Justice Department released files related to Mr. Epstein in late January.
Among these files is an email to Epstein from October 2011 in which Mr. Gelernter mentions a software project to be built.
“I have the perfect editor in mind: a senior at Yale, a petite, good-looking blonde who worked at Vogue last summer, runs her own campus magazine, majors in art, is perfectly connected,” Gelernter wrote.
The email was sent three years after Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida state court to soliciting an underage girl into prostitution. Epstein served a 13-month prison sentence in this case.
The Yale Daily News reported Tuesday that Gelernter was prohibited from teaching classes pending a review.
CNBC asked Yale University on Wednesday about Gelernter’s status at the university and his contacts with Epstein.
“Yale University is committed to excellence in the classroom and to fostering an environment where all members of our community feel respected and valued,” a Yale spokesperson said in an emailed statement to CNBC.
“Last week, the leadership of the School of Engineering and Applied Science became aware of reports regarding communications between the professor and parties outside the Yale community. The professor subsequently acknowledged and defended this communication and the actions he took in connection with it.”
“The university does not condone the actions taken by the professor or his demeanor in providing recommendations to students.”
“The professor’s actions are currently under review. The professor will not be able to teach until the review is complete.”
Gelernter did not immediately respond to CNBC’s email requesting comment.
Gelernter was seriously injured in June 1993 when he opened a package containing explosives mailed to him by Ted Kaczynski, the so-called Unabomber. Gelernter lost the use of his right hand in the explosion.
Yale’s action against the professor comes nearly three months after former Harvard University President Larry Summers said he was withdrawing from all public engagements, citing disagreements with Epstein over the publication of emails.
The Harvard Crimson reported at the time that Summers’ communications included a request for guidance from Epstein about pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman Epstein described as a mentee.
Summers, who is also a former U.S. Treasury secretary, took a leave of absence from teaching at Harvard University and from his position as director of the Mossabah Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my poor decision to continue to communicate with Mr. Epstein,” Summers said in a statement obtained by CNBC at the time.
Harvard University announced in November that it would investigate the relationship between Summers and Epstein in light of Congress’ disclosure of emails between the two.
Epstein committed suicide in a federal prison in New York City in August 2019, weeks after he was arrested on child sex trafficking charges.
