Ivy League professor charged with incest after 'three-year sexual relationship with his daughter'

David Epstein is accused of a three-year sexual relationship with his 24-year-old daughter

A Columbia University professor accused of a three-year sexual relationship with his daughter was charged with incest yesterday.



Political science professor David Epstein, 46, allegedly bedded his 24-year-old daughter between 2006 and 2009.



Epstein, who specialises in American politics and voting rights, is said to have also exchanged twisted text messages with the girl during the consensual relationship.



University spokesman Robert Hornsby said that Epstein 'is now on administrative leave and will not be teaching students'.



The well-liked professor, who has taught at Harvard and Stanford, was married to another lecturer at the Ivy League institution but the pair recently divorced.



'We ask that everyone remember that he is innocent until proven otherwise and that these allegations are nothing more than allegations,' said Epstein's defence lawyer Matthew Galluzzo.



Epstein, who teaches political science at Ivy League institute Columbia University, allegedly exchanged twisted text messages with the girl during the consensual relationship

Epstein faces up to four years behind bars if convicted.



It is yet another scandal for Columbia University after five of its students were arrested last week for running a drug-dealing ring on campus.

The men, who sold LSD-laced sweets and cocaine, claimed that they needed to do it to pay for tuition fees.