A prominent theoretical physicist is departing from the Ontario institution he co-founded, following the disclosure of his connections to the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in recently published documents.
Lee Smolin, a Canadian-American professor specializing in physics and philosophy, has “agreed to suspend his affiliation” with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics located in Waterloo, Ontario, as stated in an email from Perimeter’s executive director, Marcela Carena, on Thursday.
As one of the founding faculty members of this independent research institute, which has gained international recognition for its innovative work in quantum theory and received significant initial funding from BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis, Smolin has been a key figure in the organization.
Smolin was engaged with the Perimeter Institute on a part-time basis while holding academic positions at both the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto.
His correspondence with Epstein was part of over three million newly released documents by the U.S. Department of Justice on January 30.
According to available information, CBC News has found no evidence to suggest that Smolin engaged in any illegal activities or was involved in Epstein’s criminal conduct. However, concerns have arisen as the documents show that his connection with Epstein persisted for several years following Epstein’s conviction for sex-related offenses.
The documents indicate that Smolin maintained communication with Epstein, and they made multiple attempts to converse via phone and arrange meetings until at least 2013 — five years after Epstein pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida, among other offenses. This paper trail seems to contradict Smolin’s earlier statements concerning his relationship with Epstein.
Smolin did not respond to emails and phone calls from CBC seeking clarification on the discrepancies between his previous comments about his relationship with Epstein and the contents of the documents, nor on why he continued his association with Epstein for years after becoming aware of his criminal convictions.
He is among several notable Canadians facing scrutiny as their ongoing connections to Epstein come to light through these documents.
Documents appear to contradict Smolin’s account
In response to inquiries from CBC News on Thursday afternoon, Perimeter Institute executive director Marcela Carena stated in an email, “At Perimeter’s request, Prof. Smolin has consented to pause his working relationship with us while we conduct a thorough review of the situation, and we will respond to this issue appropriately.”
Smolin is one of numerous distinguished scientists who received research funding from Epstein over the years. He informed the Globe and Mail in November 2025 that the financial support spanned from approximately 1999 to 2001, five years prior to Epstein’s first criminal charges.
He also reportedly mentioned to the Globe that he could not recall the specific date of their final communication, but noted that they encountered each other at a TED conference in 2003.
Previously, Smolin stated to 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-related offenses. Earlier this week, he told the Waterloo Record, “My entire relationship with Epstein preceded my moving to Canada and starting my role at pi [Perimeter Institute] in 2001.”
However, the most recent Epstein documents seem to challenge these timelines, with emails uncovered by CBC News indicating that communication between Epstein and Smolin persisted until at least 2013.
Smolin refers to Epstein as a friend in messages
In one of the earliest emails, dated April 2009, Smolin expressed that Epstein “will be missed” at a May 2009 conference at the Perimeter Institute focused on the economic crisis. This correspondence occurred while Epstein was still incarcerated for his crimes in Florida. (During this time, he was frequently permitted to leave during the day for work-related purposes.)
In September 2009, Smolin contacted Epstein, who was on probation and under house arrest at that time, saying, “I hear that you are out and living at home. Hope all is well, would love to see you and catch up at some point.” Epstein replied that he “would gladly fly [you] to Florida for a weekend with your family,” to which Smolin responded, “That’s a very nice invitation. Thank you. Let me speak with [his wife] about when would be possible.”
Then in February 2010, Epstein inquired, “Any luck in visiting?” Smolin responded five days later, saying, “I would love to visit.… I will come, sorry to have delayed it.” The two appeared to have arranged a phone conversation shortly after.
Smolin, a theoretical physicist and author, is recognized for his contributions to the understanding of space, time, and cosmology. Emails obtained by CBC News indicate that he and Epstein maintained contact for many years. (Penguin Random House)
They exchanged messages again that summer, with Smolin sharing details of his recent research. He expressed a desire for a phone call and concluded with, “I do look forward to seeing you sometime soon.” In November 2010, Smolin wrote to Epstein that he had been “too much out of touch” and expressed regret for missing friends, including him.
In January 2011, Smolin and Epstein seemed to finalize plans to meet in New York City and Smolin repeatedly inquired whether Epstein was free to meet the following month as well.
Their exchanges frequently touched on Smolin’s scientific work. In April 2011, he contacted Epstein with his latest paper on quantum theory, which he referred to as “probably the wildest idea I’ve ever had,” and expressed interest in receiving Epstein’s feedback.
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“Look forward to having the chance one of these days to sit down and catch up with you,” he concluded.
In what appears to be the final correspondence between the two found in the documents, Smolin informed Epstein that he would be in New York City in March and April 2013 and expressed a wish to meet. Lastly, in July 2013, it appears Smolin accepted Epstein’s invitation to connect on LinkedIn.
Smolin left a message in Epstein’s 50th birthday book, which included a photo of himself alongside colleagues, as well as diagrams he stated were part of his research at that time. The book gained attention last year when it was uncovered that it contained a suggestive message from Donald Trump.