Canadian physics professor steps back from job over Epstein questions

A highly regarded theoretical physicist is stepping away from the Ontario institute he helped found, after his ties to the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in recently released files.

Lee Smolin, an American Canadian professor of physics and philosophy, has "agreed to pause his working relationship" with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont., according to an email on Thursday from Perimeter's executive director, Marcela Carena. 

Smolin was a founding faculty member of the independent research centre, which is known around the world for pioneering work in quantum theory and got much of its initial funding from BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis. 

Smolin was working at the Perimeter Institute part time and also has academic appointments at the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto. 

His correspondence with Epstein was part of more than three million new pages of files released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30. 

Nothing CBC News has seen suggests Smolin did anything illegal or participated in any of Epstein's illicit activities, and appearing in the files is not an indication in itself of any wrongdoing. However, questions have emerged after the documents revealed his relationship with the financier continued for years after Epstein's conviction for sex offences. 

The files show that Smolin continued to correspond with Epstein, and the two made repeated efforts to talk by phone and meet up, until at least 2013 — five years after the latter pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor and another criminal count. The paper trail appears to contradict Smolin's own account of his relationship with Epstein. 

Smolin did not reply to emails and phone messages from CBC asking for comment on apparent inconsistencies between what he had previously said about his relationship and what is in the records, and on why he continued to associate with Epstein for years after seemingly becoming aware of his criminal convictions.   

He is one of several prominent Canadians under scrutiny as their ongoing relationships with Epstein are revealed in documents. 

On Thursday afternoon, in response to questions from CBC News, Perimeter Institute executive director Marcela Carena said in an email, "At Perimeter's request, Prof. Smolin has agreed to pause his working relationship with us as we undertake a careful review of the situation, and we will address this matter accordingly."

Smolin is one of many accomplished scientists who received research grants from Epstein over the years. He told the Globe and Mail in November 2025 that the funding ran from around 1999 to 2001, five years before Epstein was first criminally charged.

He also reportedly told the Globe he could not recall the exact date of their last communication, but mentioned crossing paths with him at a TED conference in 2003. 

Previously, Smolin told the Verge in 2019 that he had "not seen Mr. Epstein since a scientific conference in 2007, and I've had no contact with him since 2008" — the year Epstein pleaded guilty to two sex crimes. Earlier this week, he told the Waterloo Record, "My entire relationship with Epstein preceded my moving to Canada and beginning my position with pi [Perimeter Institute] in 2001." 

The latest Epstein files appear to contradict these timelines, however, with emails found by CBC News suggesting that contact between Epstein and Smolin lasted until at least 2013.