Democrat quits clean energy firm over Epstein links

February 24, 2026 - 22:47

Former U.S. Senator and Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey has resigned from the board of directors of a Nebraska-based clean energy startup. The move comes following increased scrutiny of his past connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

Kerrey served on the board of the unnamed firm, which focuses on developing sustainable energy solutions. In his resignation, he stated a desire to prevent the association from becoming a distraction to the company's important environmental mission. The controversy stems from records showing Kerrey attended multiple meetings at Epstein's New York residence in the early 2000s, after Epstein's initial criminal conviction.

The former senator has publicly expressed regret for the association, calling it a "mistake." He has stated these were brief meetings focused on philanthropy and global health initiatives. The incident highlights the ongoing fallout for public figures linked to Epstein, whose connections have ensnared numerous prominent individuals across business, academia, and politics.

The clean energy company has accepted the resignation and thanked Kerrey for his service. It emphasized its focus remains on advancing its core work in the renewable energy sector. The episode underscores how past affiliations continue to impact present-day roles, even in fields unrelated to the source of the controversy.