(NewsNation) — Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Larry Summers has revealed he is stepping away from public life following the disclosure of emails between him and Jeffrey Epstein.
The news was first reported by the Harvard Crimson and comes less than a week after Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released thousands of never-before-seen emails, including some tying Summers to the convicted sex offender.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,” Summers said in a statement obtained by NewsNation.
Email communications between the pair came after Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 to one count each of soliciting minors for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
“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,” Summers added.
Specifics regarding the activities Summers will be stepping away from were not provided by his spokesperson.