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Interlochen report adds Epstein allegations to abuse findings

Interlochen report adds Epstein allegations to abuse findings
Photo: apnews.com

Interlochen's historical abuse report, released July 29, 2026, adds two student allegations involving Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters: The report shows how institutions revisit legacy abuse claims, disclose findings and route allegations to outside authorities. It also raises governance questions about donor access, recordkeeping and oversight at schools with long-running misconduct histories.

  • Interlochen Center for the Arts released a July 29, 2026 external investigation finding 70 accounts of sexual misconduct involving 47 faculty, staff, trustees and affiliated adults.
  • The school expanded the review in June 2025 after learning Epstein had a past association with Interlochen.
  • Two former students reported conduct of a sexual nature by Epstein, including one incident at the lodge that once bore his name.
  • Interlochen said Epstein attended camp in 1967 and gave more than $400,000 to the school between 1990 and 2003.

Interlochen Center for the Arts said its external investigation found 70 accounts of sexual misconduct across decades, spanning the 1950s through the 2010s. The school said the report includes allegations of grooming, flirting, sexual touching and sex, and that many of the incidents happened decades ago. Interlochen

The review began in summer 2024 and was expanded in June 2025 after Interlochen learned Jeffrey Epstein had a past association with the campus. The school said two former students reported conduct of a sexual nature by Epstein, including one incident at the lodge that once carried his name. AP

Interlochen said it has shared the names of accused individuals with Grand Traverse County authorities to assess possible next steps. The school said none of the accused are currently employed there and more than a third are dead. Interlochen

The report also sits against earlier federal scrutiny. A Feb. 6, 2020 Justice Department grand jury subpoena sought Interlochen records about donations, tuition payments, campus visits by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and related financial records. DOJ subpoena

Earlier reporting by NPR/WBUR and GPB said Epstein and Maxwell used Interlochen access and donor relationships to meet young students, including testimony from a woman identified as Jane Doe in Maxwell's trial. WBUR/NPR

Interlochen's president and board chair said the school was sorry for the harm experienced by members of the community and apologized to those impacted by abuse at Interlochen.

By the numbers

  • 70 - accounts of sexual misconduct cited in the external investigation
  • 47 - faculty, staff, trustees and affiliated adults named in the report
  • $400,000-plus - Epstein's reported donations to Interlochen from 1990 to 2003

Yes, but: The report covers historical conduct, not new alleged abuse, and the Epstein-related claims come from two former students' accounts.

What's next: Interlochen said it has referred names to Grand Traverse County authorities for possible next steps.

Based on reporting from

  • AP News

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