Lawrence Krauss

Lawrence Maxwell Krauss is a Canadian-American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who maintained extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein from at least 2009 through 2019. The archive documents 8,785 emails between Krauss and Epstein's network over a 33-year period, making him one of the most prolific correspondents in the collection. Krauss organized a 2006 gravity conference funded by Epstein in the U.S. Virgin Islands that included a visit to Epstein's private island, and received at least $100,000 in donations from Epstein's foundation for his academic programs at Arizona State University. When sexual misconduct allegations against Krauss emerged publicly in 2018, he sought Epstein's advice on responding to the accusations and managing the investigation. The correspondence reveals a relationship spanning scientific patronage, personal friendship, and strategic consultation during Krauss's professional crisis.

Background#

Lawrence Krauss was born May 27, 1954, and is known for his work on dark energy, cosmology, and science popularization. He holds degrees from Carleton University and a Ph.D. in physics from MIT (1982). Krauss taught at Yale University and served as chair of physics at Case Western Reserve University before joining Arizona State University, where he founded and directed the Origins Project in 2008. He has authored several bestselling popular science books including The Physics of Star Trek and A Universe from Nothing, and is an outspoken atheist and skeptic.

In 2006, Krauss helped organize a conference titled "Confronting Gravity" on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, funded by Epstein's foundation. The conference brought together approximately 20 prominent physicists including three Nobel laureates and Stephen Hawking, and included a dinner visit to Epstein's private island, Little St. James.

In February 2018, BuzzFeed News published an investigation detailing a decade of sexual misconduct allegations against Krauss. Arizona State University placed him on paid leave and conducted an investigation that found he violated university sexual harassment policies. Krauss was removed as director of the Origins Project in July 2018 and retired from ASU in May 2019. Multiple scientific organizations suspended their relationships with him following the allegations.

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive documents sustained contact between Krauss and Epstein spanning 2009 to 2019, with 8,785 total emails across 3,861 threads. The correspondence reveals financial support, social interactions, and strategic consultation.

Financial Support

In November 2010, Epstein directed a $100,000 donation to the "ASU Foundation--Origins Project" to be sent to Krauss. Records indicate Epstein's Enhanced Education foundation donated approximately $250,000 to the Origins Project between 2010 and 2017.

Krauss shared detailed updates on his work with Epstein. In June 2010, he provided Epstein with his summer conference schedule and outlined five active physics research projects, including work on neutrino physics, dark matter, and gravitational waves. The same month, Krauss discussed personal financial difficulties with Epstein, including a property in Aspen that had lost $65,000 in value and was "essentially right at mortgage, meaning no equity."

Krauss also consulted Epstein on travel plans. In June 2010, he expressed disappointment that Epstein's New Zealand trip was canceled, writing that he was "sad to hear about NZ, and even sadder to hear that there is no time to even go with you to pick up nancy afterwards... I was tempted to suggest that I fly to Dubai on my own just for the opportunity of doing the latter with you".

Personal Relationship

The emails reflect a friendship extending beyond professional interaction. In June 2010, Krauss wrote to Epstein: "I cAlled a few times. Need a friend to talk to. You free at all tonight?" In May 2011, Epstein's staff listed "Dick Merkin and Lawrence Krauss" among people Epstein wanted to speak with by phone.

Krauss visited Epstein's properties regularly. On October 15, 2016, Epstein's schedule listed an appointment with Krauss at his Manhattan townhouse. In September 2016, Epstein's schedule included "12:45pm Lunch w/Deepak and Krauss" at the townhouse. On October 9, 2015, Epstein's assistant noted that Epstein was "hosting Lawrence Krauss and family on the island" for lunch, with pickup from the Ritz-Carlton at 11:30 a.m.

In April 2019, Lesley Groff arranged for Krauss to stay in two apartments at 301 East 66th Street in Manhattan April 17-20, providing access codes for apartment 10F (one bedroom) and 8A (studio). Krauss asked about using a room in Epstein's townhouse to film podcast episodes, writing: "We need quiet and interesting looking room with a table and two chairs at least, where we could set up and shoot.. Might it be possible to find a room in Jeffrey's house that would fit the bill?" Epstein asked in response: "who is on film in the podacast just you , or you and a guest and if so . who?" Groff later informed Krauss that filming at the townhouse "won't work though".

In July 2017, Krauss coordinated use of Epstein's driver Valdson during a family trip to Paris, July 13-16. After initial arrangements, Groff informed Krauss that "Jeffrey requests you please get yourselves rides to/from your hotel with your luggage...but if you need rides during your stay to please reach out to Valdson".

Consultation on Sexual Misconduct Allegations

When BuzzFeed News began investigating sexual harassment allegations against Krauss in 2017-2018, Krauss turned to Epstein for advice. The correspondence documents strategic consultation on media responses and legal strategy.

In February 2018, as BuzzFeed prepared to publish, Krauss engaged in detailed discussions with Epstein about how to respond to specific allegations, including claims from the Perimeter Institute. On February 14, 2018, Epstein asked Krauss: "Did you call him," referring to efforts to contact Neil Turok at Perimeter. Krauss responded about attempting to reach Turok by phone and drafting a letter.

In March 2018, Krauss sought to hire attorney Justin Dillon and arranged for Dillon to speak with Epstein about the case. Krauss described Epstein to Dillon as "somewhat infamous" and noted: "Bottom line is that Jeffrey is not only friends with most of the famous people from finance, to business, to Hollywood, who have either been brought down during #metoo and he also speaks regularly with people ranging from the awful white house people, who he is friends with, to ken starr etc." Krauss explained that Epstein was "concerned about exactly how we play this" given "the variety and number of different things being discussed in the media and online."

Epstein wrote to Krauss on March 22, 2018: "Every email is to do with engagement/money etc. in the future please do not disclose our conversations or who I speak with!!!!!"

Throughout February-March 2018, Epstein provided ongoing advice as Krauss navigated the public allegations and Arizona State University's Title IX investigation. On February 28, 2018, Epstein cautioned Krauss: "sorry, you were advised to stay indoorss while the storm passed. you repeatedly went outside and put up some poles.. we now have to focus on the poles not falling on the house.. selective damage control.. congress, nsf. adam wrote that he was your litigation counsel. you will need to address. why universties have RESTRICTED your access. in the past.. forget about defamiltion allegation. libel. slander."

On March 6, 2018, when another article appeared about Krauss, he wrote to Epstein: "They won't let up. My story going out tomorrow. Damn the torpedoes. That is my feeling today." He later added: "And then after the statement I am going to engage in a twitter campaign against each of the buzzfeed journalists."

In April 2018, Krauss sent Epstein a satirical message proposing: "Let's do a men of the world conference. Kevin spacey Bill Clinton al franken Woody Allen". This followed Epstein forwarding Krauss information about a "Women in the World Summit" focused on male misbehavior.

Connections#

Krauss's primary correspondent in the archive is Jeffrey Epstein himself, with 4,849 shared emails. His correspondence was facilitated through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff (272 shared emails), who managed scheduling and property access.

Krauss also appears in email exchanges involving Noam Chomsky (156 shared emails), the linguist who also maintained contact with Epstein. In May 2011, Epstein's staff included both "Dick Merkin and Lawrence Krauss" on a list of people Epstein wanted to contact.

Other correspondents include Cecile de Jongh (125 emails), who helped coordinate the November 2010 Virgin Islands conference, and Carla Mahnke (106 emails), an Arizona State University official who contacted Krauss in 2018-2019 about "new information my office has received related to the alleged conduct at the November 2016 Australian Skeptics Conference".

Scientists listed in Epstein's contact lists alongside Krauss included contacts for conferences include Mark Tramo, Roger Schank, Seth Lloyd, Marvin Minsky, Mark Hauser, Steve Kosslyn, Richard Axel, Victoria Stodden, Lee Smolin, Martin Nowak, Geoffrey West, Jerry Edelman, Robert Trivers, Nathan Wolfe, George Church, and Lisa Randall.

Document References#

Krauss appears throughout Epstein's archived correspondence and scheduling documents. A November 2010 email thread documents Epstein directing a $100,000 donation to the ASU Foundation Origins Project with instructions to "send to lawrence Krauss." The payment was to be made from Epstein's Enhanced Education foundation, with staff asking for "mailing address for check".

July 2017 scheduling documents show Epstein's weekly calendar noting Krauss's presence in Paris during Epstein's visit there. Multiple emails document logistical arrangements for Krauss's use of Epstein's Paris driver Valdson and coordination around potential overlapping schedules.

Extensive February-March 2018 email threads document Krauss's consultation with Epstein during the BuzzFeed investigation and Arizona State University's Title IX investigation. These include discussions of legal strategy, media response, and tactical advice from Epstein on managing the allegations.

A June 2010 email shows Krauss sharing his summer conference schedule and research priorities with Epstein, providing detailed updates on five active physics projects. This reflects the pattern of Krauss keeping Epstein informed about his scientific work and travel.

Lists of scientists' contact information in the archive include Krauss alongside prominent researchers in Epstein's network, with cell phone and work numbers provided for coordination of events and gatherings.

Visits to Epstein Properties#

Manhattan Townhouse (9 East 71st Street)

The archive documents multiple visits to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse:

1. October 15, 2016 - Scheduled appointment with Epstein, with coordination around Krauss's 7 p.m. event requiring him to leave by 3-4 p.m.
2. September 16, 2016 - "12:45pm Lunch w/Deepak and Krauss" scheduled at the townhouse, with Terje joining at 1 p.m.

Manhattan Apartments (301 East 66th Street)

1. April 17-20, 2019 - Stay arranged by Lesley Groff in apartments 10F (one bedroom) and 8A (studio), with Krauss and a companion using the units. Multiple emails document Wi-Fi troubleshooting, broken freezer issues, and coordination with building manager.

Little St. James Island

1. March 2006 - Participated in "Confronting Gravity" conference that included dinner on Epstein's private island.
2. October 9, 2015 - Lunch visit with family, picked up from the Ritz-Carlton at 11:30 a.m.
3. November 2010 - Krauss organized a multi-day conference on the Virgin Islands with plans to "go to Jeffrey's island at noon on sat.. and have lunch there" and potentially hold afternoon sessions there.

Paris

• July 13-16, 2017 - Coordination to use Epstein's driver Valdson during Krauss's Paris visit with family.

Palm Beach, New Mexico Ranch

No documented visits to these properties appear in the archive.