Ex-Stanford professor's relationship with Epstein detailed over years of emails

"A former Stanford professor and prominent neuroscientist maintained a close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein over decades, recently unsealed emails released by the Justice Department show. According to the messages, which were reviewed by SFGATE, Epstein and Stephen Kosslyn stayed in close contact during Kosslyn's leadership role at Stanford University, as well as before and after Kosslyn's time in Palo Alto. Epstein had a stated interest in forming a "behavior engineering institute" on the campus."

"A 2020 internal Harvard University report documented Epstein's financial support of Kosslyn's work at Harvard between 1998 and 2002, with the financier donating $200,000 specifically to support the neuroscientist's research. The report found Kosslyn had known Epstein "for many years" and also described their intellectual collaboration, including work on what the professor called "social prosthetic systems." Kosslyn's theory argued people rely on others as cognitive and emotional extensions, forming relationships that compensate for mental weaknesses, just as physical prosthetics compensate for physical limits."

Stephen Kosslyn, a former Stanford professor and neuroscientist, maintained a close friendship and professional collaboration with Jeffrey Epstein for decades. Unsealed emails show sustained contact during Kosslyn's leadership at Stanford and before and after his time in Palo Alto. Epstein expressed interest in creating a "behavior engineering institute" on campus. Kosslyn sought career advice, invited Epstein to campus, shared investor meeting details, and arranged in-person meetings, some occurring after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution, including a charge involving a child. A 2020 Harvard report documents Epstein's $200,000 donation to support Kosslyn's research (1998–2002) and describes collaboration on "social prosthetic systems." Kosslyn's name appears in Epstein's 2003 "birthday book" containing lewd illustrations and messages.

Read at SFGATE