A distinguished theoretical physicist is stepping back from his involvement with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Ontario, following the disclosure of his connections to the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in recently released documents.
Lee Smolin, an American-Canadian professor specializing in physics and philosophy, has agreed to temporarily halt his association with the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, as stated in an email from Marcela Carena, the institute’s executive director. Smolin was one of the founding members of the renowned research center, recognized globally for its groundbreaking work in quantum theory, and initially received significant funding from Mike Lazaridis, the co-founder of BlackBerry.
While working part-time at the Perimeter Institute, Smolin also holds academic positions at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. His communications with Epstein were unveiled in over three million new files released by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30. Although there is no evidence to suggest any illegal activity on Smolin’s part or his involvement in Epstein’s unlawful deeds, his continued relationship with Epstein after the latter’s conviction has raised concerns.
The correspondence between Smolin and Epstein continued, with attempts to communicate and meet persisting until at least 2013, five years following Epstein’s guilty plea in Florida. This contradicts Smolin’s previous statements about his interactions with Epstein. Despite numerous attempts to reach out to Smolin for comments regarding the inconsistencies between his statements and the records, he did not respond to inquiries from CBC News.
Several prominent Canadians, including Smolin, are now under scrutiny as revelations of their ongoing associations with Epstein emerge. The Perimeter Institute has requested Smolin to pause his involvement with them for a thorough review of the situation.
Smolin, like many other accomplished scientists, received research grants from Epstein over the years. He had mentioned that the funding period was from around 1999 to 2001, predating Epstein’s initial criminal charges by five years. The latest documents, however, suggest a different timeline, showing continued contact between Smolin and Epstein well beyond the previously mentioned years.
In various exchanges detailed in the files, Smolin referred to Epstein as a friend and discussed scientific matters with him. Despite his earlier claims of minimal contact with Epstein after 2008, the documents reveal a more prolonged association between the two, including plans to meet and discussions on research topics.
The last known communication between Smolin and Epstein in the files indicates an invitation to connect on LinkedIn in July 2013. The revelations have prompted a reevaluation of Smolin’s ties with Epstein and have sparked public interest in the nature of their relationship.
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