Waterloo professor to ‘pause’ work after alleged Epstein ties revealed
Posted Feb 19, 2026 10:56:46 AM.
Last Updated Feb 19, 2026 10:56:58 AM.
A founding member and professor at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo is pausing his work with the local institution after alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were discovered.
It comes after the wider release of documents related to investigations into the former American financier were released by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Many portions of the files have been redacted to protect “personal information pertaining to victims, other private individuals, and protect sensitive materials from disclosure.” Other emails and correspondence have since been made publicly available.
Included in those documents is a list of emails between Epstein and a founding member of the Perimeter Institute, Lee Smolin.
Previously, Smolin had acted as both a founding member of the local institution and, more recently, as a part-time Research Faculty at Perimeter Institute..
“At Perimeter’s request, Professor Smolin has agreed to pause his working relationship with us as we undertake a careful review of the situation,” said the Perimeter Institute in a statement to 570 NewsRadio. “We will address this matter accordingly.”
Included in those files are emails that range from simple pleasantries, including the two wishing each other a happy New Year, to other, more personal correspondence to each other.
In one, Smolin messaged Epstein in 2009, following Epstein’s release from prison. It reads, “I hear that you are out and living there at home. Hope all is well, would love to see you and catch up at some point.”
In response, Epstein emailed Smolin, writing, “I would gladly fly (you) to Florida for a weekend with your family. I will organize an apt tickets and an apt at your convenience.”
In another email, Smolin said, “The situation remains the same, I would love to visit and have been held here by having to be at home and too much happening at Pl (Perimeter Institute). I will come, sorry to have delayed it.”
A following email from Smolin would state, “This has been a crazy busy (period) in which I drastically cut back travel. While I’m sorry for missing (friends) including you, its paid off a lot in some great new ideas.”
None of the files directly state or imply that Smolin was involved in illegal activities or was a party to the list of wrongful, explicit activities related to Epstein.
Many of the concerns that were raised, leading to the moves and review by the Perimeter Institute, come from the details around the closeness of Smolin’s relationship with Epstein, with the two at times referring to each other as friends.
Other issues pertain to the frequency of talks and continued discussions between the two following Epstein’s conviction in 2008, which lasted as far as 2013.
Those emails detail discussions to talk both in person and over the phone with Epstein.
Documents also show Smolin receiving support from Epstein, with one included correspondence stating, “The Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation has supported many leading scientists, including Stephen Hawking, Martin Nowak, Gregory Benford, Lee Smolin…”
570 NewsRadio has reached out directly to Smolin for comment on the situation, but no response or statement has been given.
