Feb 5, 2026
AAD Staff
Washington, D.C. – The American Academy of Diplomacy issued a formal statement rejecting allegations against Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony Wayne as false and malicious:
The Academy takes all allegations of gross misconduct, including sexual misconduct, very seriously. Upon reviewing the available facts, the Academy believes allegations in recently released Epstein files concerning Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony Wayne are false and malicious.
The allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor reference a party in 2014 and a supposed trial in Mexico in 2017. Any allegations as serious as those described against a United States Ambassador would at least have been reported to the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security. We have checked with the relevant incumbent at the time and there was no such report. Also, Academy chairman Ambassador Thomas Shannon was Counselor of the Department of State (2013-2015) and Undersecretary for Political Affairs (2016-2018) and would certainly have been aware of any such allegations. No such report came to him. Finally, Ambassador Wayne left the Foreign Service and retired in 2015 two years before the supposed trial took place.
Another allegation is that there is an outstanding arrest warrant for Ambassador Wayne in Mexico, which he is said to be evading. The U.S. and Mexico have an active extradition agreement. An arrest warrant of this nature would have been pursued through the extradition process with the Departments of State and Justice. Furthermore, since his retirement, Ambassador Wayne has returned frequently to Mexico, including as an election observer. His travel has been without incident. Ambassador Wayne totally denies the allegations.
Based on our knowledge of State Department procedures and the available facts, we conclude that the allegations against Ambassador Wayne are baseless and malicious fabrications.