New york: Valeria Chomsky, wife of renowned linguist Noam Chomsky, has issued a public apology for the couple's past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, admitting they unknowingly "opened a door to a Trojan horse" and were deceived by his manipulative tactics.
According to Anadolu Agency, Valeria's statement was released amid fresh scrutiny from newly unsealed Epstein documents. She explained that the couple only learned the full extent of Epstein's crimes after the November 2018 Miami Herald report exposed details of his 2008 Florida conviction. Introduced to him in 2015 at a professional event, Epstein posed as a science philanthropist and financial expert, gaining their trust.
Valeria expressed regret over not thoroughly researching Epstein's background, acknowledging it as a grave mistake. She emphasized Epstein's exploitation of Noam's criticisms of "cancel culture" to portray himself as unfairly persecuted, something Noam believed in good faith. Their interactions remained professional, limited to academic discussions, lunches, dinners, and brief work-related stays, with no visits to Epstein's island or any witnessed wrongdoing.
The statement strongly underscores solidarity with victims, acknowledging the gravity of Epstein's crimes and the profound suffering of his victims. It also addresses financial interactions, clarifying that Epstein provided administrative help on a private matter unrelated to his crimes, including facilitating a $270,000 transfer of Chomsky's own funds and sending a $20,000 check for a linguistics initiative. These were technical assistance arrangements, not donations in either direction.
Noam Chomsky, who is now 97, suffered a severe stroke in June 2023, leaving him unable to speak or communicate publicly. He is under constant medical care, looked after solely by Valeria without any public relations help. The apology highlights a stark contrast between Noam's lifelong principles and any unwitting link to Epstein's actions.
The US Justice Department recently released extensive materials under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, shedding light on Epstein's relationships with business personnel, billionaires, government officials, and media figures in the US and beyond. Epstein was found dead by suicide in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.