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NEW YORK , NY\u2014 The Fashion Institute of Technology reassigned a spring semester course and suspended a staff member on Friday after newly surfaced records tied a longtime lecturer to communications with Jeffrey Epstein, according to internal emails obtained by Patch and documents included in the Epstein files.<\/p>\n
Students in international trade course IN 434 were notified by the Office of the President that their Thursday class would be reassigned from Laurence Delson to Prof. Mark Greiz of the ITM department. The class was canceled for one week and scheduled to resume Feb. 26.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that news like this, particularly during the semester, may feel unsettling,\u201d the email read. <\/p>\n
In a separate campuswide message, administrators said FIT had \u201crecently been made aware of claims and information about certain connections that associate FIT with the Epstein files.\u201d <\/p>\n
The school said it had launched \u201ca comprehensive investigation\u201d and \u201ctaken necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our campus community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be clear, FIT strongly condemns the behavior and actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,\u201d the email stated. \u201cWe are committed to sharing updates with the FIT community as transparently and promptly as possible as new information becomes available.\u201d<\/p>\n
The emails did not name the suspended staff member.<\/p>\n
An FIT student currently enrolled in Delson\u2019s course, who asked to remain anonymous, said she learned of the suspension through social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found out yesterday after I was leaving campus through a post to the shared FIT Instagram story,\u201d the student said. \u201cI was honestly shocked. The morning class had gone fine and there wasn\u2019t any mention of it from the professor or students.\u201d<\/p>\n
The student said Delson maintains a no-phones policy in class and that neither he nor administrators had addressed the allegations directly with students before the email.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere hasn\u2019t been any word from the professor himself, just the email that a staff member was suspended,\u201d the student said. \u201cIt makes me wonder what class would look like in the following weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The student said they began reviewing publicly released court records and investigative files after learning of the suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn hindsight I can\u2019t say I\u2019m very surprised given that FIT admission was used as leverage by Epstein but I\u2019m disappointed in the school\u2019s \u2018transparency.\u201d the student said. \u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be the student’s responsibility to shed light on a professor\u2019s involvement. I\u2019m worried there\u2019s more information that isn\u2019t being disclosed and it\u2019s going to take a student to be a whistleblower yet again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Records contained in the Epstein files include emails between Lawrence Delson and Epstein spanning several years.<\/p>\n
In a March 3, 2014 email, Delson wrote, \u201cI hope everything ok on Little St. James,\u201d referring to Epstein\u2019s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 7, 2017, Delson wrote, \u201cMy thoughts are with all of you. Please let me know how things are.\u201d<\/p>\n
A reply stated: \u201cJeffrey appreciates you checking in. He says it is not good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other exchanges reflect familiarity between the two men, where Epstein wrote he cherished their friendship.<\/p>\n
\u201cLikewise, Jeffrey. My sentiments exactly,\u201d Delson replied.<\/p>\n
The files also show Delson requesting in-person meetings numerous times.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think you can squeeze me in when Jeffrey is in New York either this month or next?\u201d Delson wrote in one message.<\/p>\n
In another exchange, an associate wrote to Delson: <\/p>\n
\u201cHi Larry….there are many people here and I feel they will stay for awhile! Let\u2019s push you to 2:45pm please! Understanding you only have until 4pm…but I think we should be fine! (you can check in at 2pm also!)\u201d<\/p>\n
Other emails show Delson discussing bookkeeping hires, tax matters and aircraft arrangements involving Epstein\u2019s associates. Financial records within the files reference transfers connected to the Fashion Institute of Technology and other entities, though the context of those transactions remains unclear from the documents alone.<\/p>\n
One entry from the files states that an individual contacted the FBI\u2019s National Threat Operations Center in July 2019 and said Epstein \u201cbegan his search for young women at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).\u201d The document does not indicate whether that claim was substantiated.<\/p>\n
Public biographical materials describe Delson as a lecturer at FIT and an adjunct associate professor at New York University\u2019s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. He has more than 25 years of international trade experience and founded an import-export consulting business.<\/p>\n
FIT\u2019s statement did not specify the nature of Delson\u2019s alleged involvement, whether he remains employed pending the investigation, or whether law enforcement has contacted the institution.<\/p>\n
The administration directed students and employees to counseling services and campus public safety, providing phone numbers for on-campus emergencies and law enforcement.<\/p>\n
Classes for IN 434 will resume later this month under new instruction. FIT officials said they will provide additional updates as information becomes available.<\/p>\n
The Fashion Institute of Technology did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n