Larry Summers has been handed a lifetime ban from the American Economic Association.
The AEA did not specifically cite convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but referenced Summers’ “conduct, as reflected in publicly reported communications,” as inconsistent with the prestigious association’s integrity standards. The move from the association came weeks after the emails became public.
Summers, a former Harvard president and US Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton, has faced sharp scrutiny in recent weeks after a trove of recently released emails detailed his years of correspondence with Epstein that continued until July 5, 2019 — the day before the disgraced financier was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Business Insider reported that Summers would be stepping back from public life after the emails revealed he had sought Epstein’s advice on how to pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he referred to as his mentee.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” he said in a statement to Business Insider at the time. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.”
Summers stepped down from his teaching position at Harvard University on November 21.
The ban from the AEA prohibits Summers from attending, speaking at, or otherwise participating in events or activities sponsored by the nonprofit academic association, which has over 17,000 members.
“The AEA condemns Mr. Summers’ conduct, as reflected in publicly reported communications, as fundamentally inconsistent with its standards of professional integrity and with the trust placed in mentors within the economics profession,” reads a statement released Tuesday by the AEA, which did not specifically mention Summers’ ties to Epstein. “Consistent with longstanding AEA practices and to protect the integrity and confidentiality of AEA processes, the AEA will not comment further on individual matters or the specific considerations underlying this determination.”
Summers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider regarding the AEA’s decision.
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