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Ex-Treasury chief the Harvard professor is departing from the governing body at the artificial intelligence firm, just a week after a batch of emails between him and deceased financier the accused trafficker became widely known.

Summers commented in a release that he was "grateful for the privilege to have served, optimistic about the potential of the organization, and anticipate observing their advancement".

Summers, who formerly headed Harvard University, stated on earlier this week that he would be withdrawing from public roles due to his relationship with Epstein.

Message Exchange

The newly public messages demonstrated that the official corresponded with the financier until the day before Epstein's 2019 arrest for suspected human trafficking of underage individuals.

In another announcement, the artificial intelligence company expressed it respected the economist's determination to depart.

"We appreciate his many contributions and the insight he brought to the directors," the company commented.

Congressional Action

This development arrives after the entire Congress of the legislative branch decided on this week to approve a measure that would compel the federal prosecutors to disclose its records on the case.

The measure will then move to the office of US President Donald Trump for approval. He has stated he intends to sign the legislation, after modifying his stance on the subject following objections from his supporters.

Email Contents

A group of Epstein-connected messages disclosed by the House Oversight Committee days ago mentioned numerous prominent individuals in the financier's past associates, without indicating any legal wrongdoing by those individuals.

The communications showed that the economist and Jeffrey Epstein regularly had dinners together, with the billionaire often seeking to link Summers to notable international personalities.

Individual Statement

After the emails were released with the general audience, the former official said he took "full responsibility for my ill-advised decision to maintain interacting with Mr Epstein".

He further stated that he wanted "to restore trust and repair bonds with the individuals most important to me".

Professional History

The economist occupied senior posts under two Democratic presidents; serving as treasury secretary under the former president, and as leader of the White House economic team under Barack Obama.

He led the institution from 2001 to 2006 and continues to be a faculty member there. When announcing his step-down from public duties recently on Monday, he said he would maintain his teaching commitments.

Further Repercussions

Following Summers' announcement on Monday, the policy organization, a liberal policy institute in DC where Summers was a senior fellow, verified that he was ceased to be connected with the organization.

The former official became part of the board of the AI company, which creates the AI chatbot, in the previous year - following a defeated move to oust its chief executive Sam Altman.