OPINION: Richardson’s Epstein entanglements disqualify his name from UNM

In the wake of the release of the largest cache of Epstein files, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has been in the news again. Both The Miami Herald and The Santa Fe New Mexican have reported that Richardson possibly tried to aid Jeffrey Epstein with a clemency appeal to former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Epstein sought clemency in 2010 after he served only 13 months on a work release that allowed him to leave jail during the day and return at night to sleep. Despite receiving this “sweetheart deal” after facing a 60-count federal indictment, Epstein sought clemency and Richardson likely offered to help.

There are other Richardson and Epstein entanglements.≈ Epstein donated $50,000 to Richardson’s 2006 reelection campaign. Richardson said that these funds were donated to local charities. When did this occur?  Additionally, Richardson later sought money from Epstein between 2016 and 2017 for Richardson’s Center for Global Engagement (multiple files including EFTA00283136, EFTA00428661, EFTA00464584, and EFTA00813339).

Publicly, Richardson said he never visited Epstein’s island. Richardson also claimed he only met with Epstein once. However, many documents in the Epstein files and reporting in the Santa Fe New Mexican document nine in-person visits including a private helicopter ride between 2010 and 2018. Richardson appears to have received a ride on Epstein’s private helicopter on Jan. 7, 2011. Present on this ride were Richardson’s chief of staff, Epstein, and three other individuals, one of whom is an alleged victim of Epstein’s (The Santa Fe New Mexican).

Finally, in response to the public release of Virgina Giuffre’s 2016 deposition which named Bill Richardson as one of the men she was trafficked to, Richardson denied these allegations and later released a statement through his attorney that was factually flawed as demonstrated by internal Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney e-mails (files: ETA00014372, ETA00014374, and ETA00032235).

Why does this matter? Because part of Richardson’s legacy is his name appearing on various things throughout the state. My focus and the reason for this op-ed is the Bill and Barbara Richardson Pavilion at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

This building houses the UNM Children’s Hospital. I have spent time in this building as a medical student, pediatric resident, patient and grieving daughter. Patients and families enter this building with vulnerability, fear, sadness and hope. Workers enter this building committed to healing, compassion and understanding. The space is intended to support healing and when it cannot, it is designed to offer compassion. The Richardson name is now linked to Epstein in ways that work against this intention. I do not feel a children’s hospital should reside in a building named after someone with documented ties to a sex trafficker. Honesty, compassion and ethics are held up as underlying values in the practice of medicine. Richardson’s name is tarnished through his association with Epstein and Richardson’s lies regarding the extent of that association. Bill Richardson does not represent these things, and the Richardson name no longer belongs on this building.

Ursula Stauber, MD, is a pediatrician. She lives in Albuquerque.