Newly released emails have exposed a former Australian National University professor's warm relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including describing the financier as a "thoughtful, kind and considerate man" while seeking his advice on responding to sexual harassment allegations.
Revealed Correspondence Shows Close Ties
The email correspondence, made public as part of the Epstein files, shows theoretical physicist Lawrence M. Krauss maintained regular contact with the accused child sex offender between 2011 and 2018. Professor Krauss, who worked at ANU's research school of astronomy and astrophysics from August 2013 to January 2015, defended his friendship with Epstein in an April 2011 email to an American blogger.
"In my direct experience," Professor Krauss wrote, "Jeffrey is a man who is generous to his friends." He added that "all of the women I have known who have been associated with Jeffrey speak glowingly in the same words."
In another email sent directly to Epstein, the professor expressed his loyalty, writing: "Beyond anything else, you are my friend. I hope we can both always remember that, no matter what."
Seeking Advice on Sexual Harassment Claims
The correspondence reveals Professor Krauss turned to Epstein for guidance when facing media questions about sexual harassment allegations in 2017. The physicist had been accused of grabbing a woman's breast while she posed to take a selfie with him at an Australian Skeptics National Convention in Melbourne in November 2016.
Epstein advised the professor that the media outlet would "attack" his response to the claims and recommended he provide a cover letter detailing his position. "These [allegations] are false. they were either investigated and found lacking or ignored," Epstein wrote in his email response.
The woman filed a formal complaint with ANU and several other institutions affiliated with Professor Krauss, leading to his suspension while the claims were investigated.
University Investigation and Aftermath
An ANU spokesperson confirmed the university had investigated the allegations but determined they were unsubstantiated based on the evidence provided. "Where there are allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing, the University takes them seriously and will always investigate and take necessary action where appropriate," the spokesperson stated.
No legal charges were ever laid against Professor Krauss, who has strenuously denied all allegations. He maintained his unpaid, honorary professor engagement at ANU until his resignation in November 2017.
In response to the email revelations, Professor Krauss stated he had never hidden his acquaintance with Epstein and had interacted with him on several occasions. "I sought out advice from essentially everyone I knew when false allegations about me were circulated in the press in 2018," he explained.
The professor emphasized that "none of the communications with Epstein relate in any way to the horrendous crimes he was accused of in 2019." He added, "I was as shocked as the rest of the world when he was arrested."
Epstein was arrested and charged with child trafficking and child sex offences in 2019 but was found dead in custody before facing trial. The released emails also show Professor Krauss suggesting a "Men of the World" conference in 2018 that would include several other men accused of sexual misconduct.
