Ohio State: Epstein-connected doctor didn’t know about crimes, will remain at school

The Ohio State University investigators said that the Wexner Medical Center’s head of gynecology will not be fired, even though he was receiving payments from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, because he didn’t know about Epstein’s crimes when he was receiving money from the financier.

Epstein files released by the Department of Justice indicated that Dr. Mark Landon received $25,000 in quarterly payments from Epstein, a convicted sex offender, from 2001 to 2004. However, in 2005, the payments were reduced to $75,000 per year.

In February, the university opened an investigation into Landon’s prior business relationship as a consultant to the Epstein-owned New York Strategies Group about potential biotech investments.

The investigators interviewed Landon and others familiar with him between 2001 and 2005 and reviewed emails and internal files regarding Landon’s past connection to Epstein, according to NBC 4. On Tuesday, the investigators absolved Landon, saying there is no evidence of his knowing about Epstein’s crimes.

“We found no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Dr. Landon was aware of or involved in any of the sexual abuse or sexual trafficking committed by Jeffrey Epstein or his associates, nor did we find any evidence that Dr. Landon or any member of his department has ever treated any of the publicly identified victims of Epstein and his associates,” the university concluded in its findings.

Landon previously denied any knowledge of or involvement with Epstein’s crimes, according to NBC 4. He also said that he stopped receiving calls and payments from NYSG in 2005. After he allegedly called NYSG to ask about his contract, the company informed Landon that he is no longer employed, and he allegedly never heard from either the company or Epstein ever again.

Despite the finding, Landon may have violated Ohio State policy by failing to disclose his relationship with Epstein to the university. Except for being educated on the Ohio State’s policies on outside activities, the university did not recommend any other discipline for Landon.

In addition to keeping his job, the university also will not rename the new Mark B. Landon, MD, and Jane Landon Visitor Lounge, located on the 23rd floor of the Wexner Medical Center, according to NBC 4.

The investigators said that Landon met Epstein through Les and Abigail Wexner, longtime university donors with whom Landon had a “cordial” relationship, and that Wexner’s wife asked Landon if he “would be interested in providing consulting services.”

Rick Lucas, president of the Ohio Nursing Association, criticized the university for failing to properly punish Landon, according to NBC 4.

“That’s clearly not any real accountability,” Lucas told the outlet. “He’s the chair of a department, and they’re going to have to reeducate him on ethics and roles. I mean, that’s a problem, right?”