Content warning: This story contains mentions of sexual misconduct with minors.
Late McCormick Prof. Roger Schank maintained close contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and was offered access to “a girl,” according to newly released files from the Department of Justice.
Throughout his life, Schank issued public statements in support of Epstein, who was convicted by a Florida state court of soliciting a minor for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute in 2008. Epstein was later arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 before dying in jail.
Schank’s name appears over 1,500 times in the newest batch of files related to Epstein, released by the DOJ on Jan. 30.
The former Northwestern faculty member, who passed away in 2023, joined the University in 1989 as a professor of computer science, education and psychology with a grant from Andersen Consulting to establish the Institute for the Learning Sciences.
Most of the pair’s correspondence dates from April 2009 to April 2017. The released files document several meetings throughout that time period, including in October 2011, June 2012 and April 2014.
In many emails, Schank either signs off with his formal NU title or includes a link to his personal website, which has been taken down.
Schank also connected at least three other current NU professors to Epstein, particularly from fields related to computer science and artificial intelligence.
When asked about Schank’s employment and relations with the convicted sex offender, a University spokesperson wrote in a Feb. 9 statement to The Daily that “we are aware of the documents involving this individual” and did not offer further comment.
Schank’s relationship with Epstein has been documented in past media coverage. A 2023 obituary in The New York Times said Schank had a “brush with controversy” due to his connection to Epstein.
The obituary noted he attended a 2002 conference for scientists at Epstein’s private island. Schank told Slate Magazine in 2019 that at that conference, Epstein walked in “with two girls on his arm.” While the scientists spoke, Schank said Epstein was “in the back, on a couch, hugging and kissing these girls.”
Still, Schank repeatedly demonstrated public support for Epstein. In a 2009 email, Schank said that Epstein had “suffered injustice.”
“This guy was actually not a bad guy,” Schank told Slate. “I mean, put the 14-year-olds out of the picture. Those even make me think he was a bad guy. But to my knowledge, he was not a bad guy. He was a good guy.”
‘I have a girl for you’: Epstein wrote to Schank
In emails, Schank appeared to help protect Epstein’s interests regarding his sexual activity, and Epstein later offered Schank access to “a girl.”
In an email in June 2009, Schank appeared to tip off Epstein that two 15-year-olds were considering action that would give them legal grounds to sue the sex offender. Epstein then tells Schank to “(find) out who they were.”
The involvement continued, particularly when Schank seemed to briefly separate from his wife, Annie, in 2011. That April, he reached out to Epstein to ask for a “favor,” requesting he “connect me with whomever and wherever.”
He emailed Epstein again on May 29 of that year, writing “Annie gone.” Epstein then replied, “I have a girl for you. what would you like me to do. ?” Schank then asked, “where is said girl?”
The next day, Schank forwarded an email he received from a “girl” who Epstein said had “just broke up with her boyfriend” and whom Epstein described as “twenty something cute.”
Schank, Epstein used derogatory language toward women throughout messages
Many of the pair’s comments used derogatory language toward women.
In January 2010, Schank pens an email with the subject line, “there is a simpler explanation about women and intelligence.” He claimed that intelligence “comes about in part from real focus” which he wrote women can’t have.
“(I)t is a rare woman who is not first and foremost focussed on what others are thinking and feeling about her,” Schank wrote. “(H)ard to be brilliant if you are worrying if you look fat or why another woman hates you or why you dont own a kelly bag.”
Epstein replied that there are “no really smart women —none.”
In a different email chain that same month, Schank referred to a business associate as “very smart (for a girl); not attractive.”
In July 2010, Schank and Epstein discussed how to avoid “atrophy” when “growing old.” Schank said it was important to “pick something very hard, or nearly impossible and attempt to accomplish it.” He then writes, “this is why I lost interest in pussy; I knew I could have any girl I wanted on my terms; done.”
Schank also spoke flippantly about Epstein’s sexual pursuits. In December 2009, he sent an email with the subject line, “I want one of your girls,” writing that he wanted to get Epstein’s attention.
The pair also regularly disparaged the intelligence of other experts in their correspondence, and Schank repeatedly used a racial slur when referring to Black experts.
Schank stood by Epstein after conviction
The late NU professor maintained communication with Epstein while the convicted sex offender was in jail in 2009 and visited him once, according to a newspaper clipping of The Palm Beach Post included in the files.
The day before Epstein’s release, Schank wrote, “happy last day.” Upon his release, Epstein emailed Schank that he was “free and home.” Schank replied, “hallellujah.”
Schank started to express concern as more information became public about Epstein’s relations with minors. In 2013, Bray Entertainment reached out to Schank regarding Epstein’s criminal investigation. Schank forwarded the message to Epstein and asked, “what the f—k is this?”
A Spanish newspaper, La Vanguardia, wrote an article in 2015 connecting the Duke of York with the convicted sex offender’s escapades. Schank emailed to ask if “something serious” was happening, or if Epstein was worried about the situation.
The pair advised each other on academic, personal matters
Throughout their correspondence, Schank frequently turned to Epstein for advice about his work, finances and health.
Schank, who often criticized traditional educational curriculum and was a prolific writer, repeatedly shared chapters of his book and links to blog posts on his website, Education Outrage.
Epstein also emailed Schank with numerous inquiries relating to AI. According to the released DOJ documents, Epstein maintained an interest in AI, funding AI research and cultivating relationships with scientists in the field, like Schank.
Schank frequently forwarded emails to Epstein from wealth management associates. In July of 2015, he wrote, “the geniuses who manage my money seem only to know how to lose it any advice on where it should be?”
He also requested to use Epstein’s apartments at least twice. In December 2009, Schank asked if Epstein had a New York apartment he could rent to Schank’s daughter. Later, when he and his wife briefly separated in 2011, Schank asked if Epstein had an empty apartment in New York City he could use.
The advice extended to Schank’s health and that of his wife. In 2015, he sought advice for managing his congestion after he stopped taking the medication Cialis. Epstein also outsourced information about Schank’s wife’s medical condition and forwarded it to Schank.
Schank seemed to require frequent assurances that Epstein was paying attention to his messages. In September of 2009, he wrote, “not like you to totally ignore me.”
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