Columbia University professor charged with incest

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – A Columbia University political science professor and past political analyst for CBS was arrested on charges of incest. Investigators say he engaged in three year long consensual relationship with his 24-year-old daughter.

David Epstein, 46 was arrested on Wednesday and was arraigned on Thursday for the illegal sexual nature of his relationship with his daughter between 2006 and 2009. He is being charged with one count of incest in the third degree.

The well-liked educator specializes in American politics and voting rights and in addition to teaching at Columbia has taught at Harvard and Stanford.

Columbia University spokesman Robert Hornsby said Epstein is now on administrative leave and is no longer teaching students.

Epstein’s defense attorney, Matthew Galluzzo, is asking that people give Epstein “the benefit of the doubt,” and is asking that the University community give his client their support.

Epstein was married to Sharyn O’Halloran another lecturer at the university, but the two reportedly recently divorced.

According to sources the victim was over 18 when the relationship began in 2006 and that father and daughter often exchanged salacious text messages.

Published reports also reveal Epsten’s ex-wife O’Halloran was recently seen speaking with a private investigator.

If convicted he faces four years in prison but on Thursday he was released on his own recognizance.

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