Name appears 250 times in U.S. Justice Department documents
Hawking family dismisses "outrageous allegations"
Scientists and business leaders repeatedly linked to case
Caution urged: "Association is not the same as crime"
With the release of investigative documents related to American billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a photo of the late Dr. Stephen Hawking has drawn renewed attention. However, no evidence has so far emerged suggesting any involvement in crimes, and his family has flatly denied all related allegations.
According to the Times and the Daily Telegraph in the United Kingdom on the 25th (local time), Dr. Hawking's name appears about 250 times in the millions of "Epstein files" released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Epstein files released by the U.S. State Department included a photo of Stephen Hawking appearing with two women in bikinis. U.S. State Department
The documents also include a photo taken during a scientific symposium held in March 2006 in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the photo, Dr. Hawking is sitting in his wheelchair holding a drink, with women in black bikinis standing on either side of him. Some have suggested that the photo may have been taken on Epstein's private island, but British media reported that it was far more likely taken at the Ritz-Carlton hotel venue where the symposium was held.
"Not models but medical support staff," family counters
As the controversy grew, Dr. Hawking's family explained that the women in the photo were not hostesses but long-term caregivers. Hawking had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for more than 50 years and required 24-hour medical support, so medical staff accompanied him even when he attended events, they said. The family stated, "Any suggestion that he engaged in inappropriate behavior is untrue and an extremely outrageous claim." Investigators are also not known to have ever indicted Hawking or investigated him as a criminal suspect.
Philip Peebles, who attended the same event and later won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2019, recalled that he "felt it was unusual when young women suddenly appeared during the presentation." He said that after Epstein's sexual exploitation of minors came to light, the incident at the time came back to his mind. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on charges of procuring minors for prostitution and died in custody. Documents released after Epstein's death also contain claims made by one of the victims, Virginia Giuffre, as well as emails in which Epstein tried to refute her allegations. However, these are one-sided claims, and no evidence has been found that Hawking was involved in any crime.
'Epstein-gate' widens...Bill Gates also offers explanation
Figures from various sectors who interacted with Epstein are likewise being reexamined. In particular, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was embroiled in controversy after it became known that he met Epstein several times in the past. Gates has said he met Epstein multiple times starting in 2011 and explained that he contacted him to discuss philanthropic projects. He publicly apologized, saying, "Meeting with Epstein was a mistake" and "a lapse in judgment." Furthermore, on this day he told staff at the Gates Foundation that he had extramarital affairs in the past with two Russian women, but that these women were not victims in the Epstein case.
Microsoft co-founder Gates Bill has been embroiled in controversy after it was revealed he met with Epstein Jeffrey several times in the past. Gates Bill said he met Epstein Jeffrey several times beginning in 2011 and explained he contacted him to discuss charitable projects. AP and Yonhap
In addition, Prince Andrew of the British royal family stepped down from public duties amid allegations about his close ties with Epstein and a sex scandal, and the so-called "Epstein-gate" continues to send shock waves across politics, business, and academia. However, some observers urge caution, arguing that the mere appearance of a name in the documents is not sufficient to conclude criminal involvement. Meanwhile, during his lifetime Epstein built an extensive network by inviting influential figures from around the world and sponsoring academic events and charity gatherings. In the materials released so far, no evidence has been found that Dr. Hawking took part in sexual crimes against minors. Nonetheless, with the possibility that additional Epstein-related documents may be disclosed, the fallout is expected to continue for some time.
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