Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI board amid Jeffrey Epstein email release

Former Treasury Secretary and LinkedIn co-founder Larry Summers resigned Wednesday from OpenAI's board amid revelations in recently released emails about his relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor. 

"In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI," Summers told Axios in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company and look forward to following their progress."

OpenAI's board said in a statement to Axios, "Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision. We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board."

House Oversight Democrats last week released years of email exchanges between Epstein and Summers.

In some emails, Summers appeared to be seeking advice on pursuing a woman he referred to as his mentee, and Epstein in an email referred to himself as Summers' "wing man."

On Monday, Summer, who is also a Harvard professor, apologized for his continued relations with Epstein before his death in 2019 and said he was "stepping back" from some of his public obligations.

“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” he said. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein." 

"While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me," he also said