Dean Kamen Takes Leave From FIRST Amid Epstein Document Review

Dean Kamen, founder of the youth robotics nonprofit FIRST, is taking a leave of absence from the organization’s board, effective immediately. The move comes after Kamen was named in recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents from the U.S. Department of Justice.

FIRST says the leave is pending an independent review being conducted by an outside law firm, with Kamen’s cooperation. In a statement to 603 News Now, Kamen said his limited interactions with Epstein were related to philanthropic projects, that he later cut off contact, and that he regrets those interactions.

Kamen has not been accused of any wrongdoing and says he supports the review to protect the integrity of FIRST and its mission.