New Hampshire
N.H. inventor Dean Kamen resigns from board of Vermont electric aircraft firm, after ties to Epstein revealed – The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire inventor and businessman Dean Kamen resigned from the board of BETA Technologies this week, after documents were released in late January showing his longstanding ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
While Kamen has previously downplayed his relationship to Epstein, the latest disclosure from the US Department of Justice showed that he had visited the disgraced financier’s Caribbean island in 2013, and that the two had remained in contact for years after Epstein was first convicted of sex crimes involving a minor in 2008.
Kamen voluntarily stepped down from BETA’s board of directors on Wednesday “to avoid potential distractions as the Company remains focused on executing its strategic priorities,” according to a Thursday company filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Kamen, perhaps best known for inventing the Segway in 2001, has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to his relationship with Epstein.
BETA, an electric aircraft company headquartered in South Burlington, Vt., first announced that Kamen had been placed on a voluntary, indefinite leave of absence on Feb. 4. The board of directors said it had launched an independent investigation into the matter, according to a company statement.
A spokesperson for the company declined to answer questions about the status of that investigation on Friday, and said the company would not comment on the matter beyond its filing.
Some of the other organizations Kamen is affiliated with have previously announced they would review his ties to Epstein.
That includes the nonprofit Kamen founded, Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) in Manchester, N.H., whose board of directors said Kamen had recused himself from the board pending an independent review in early February.
The youth robotics educational nonprofit he founded, FIRST, also said Kamen would take a leave of absence while an outside law firm conducts an independent review.
A spokesperson for the XPRIZE Foundation, which partners with FIRST, said Kamen is no longer part of an advisory group as of Feb. 5, in light of his leave of absence.
And Sequel Med Tech in Manchester, N.H., a company co-founded by Kamen, announced an independent review in early February.
A spokesperson for Kamen’s company DEKA Research & Development Corp. has not responded to questions about whether it will take similar action.
The latest tranche of US DOJ documents was not the first time Kamen had been linked to Epstein.
Two undated photos were released in December 2025 showing Kamen socializing with Epstein in a tropical location, and sharing a Segway with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at a convention center. Kamen said he had “only limited interactions” with Epstein and “no specific memory” of interacting with Maxwell.
The public has known for years about the flight Kamen took with Epstein in 2003, and about his subsequent ties to Nadia Marcinko, a close Epstein associate who was granted immunity in a plea deal Epstein struck in 2008 with federal prosecutors.
The latest release of documents includes emails the two men exchanged through 2015, and it shows how they traded professional favors and planned travel together.
Kamen has said he has no knowledge of Epstein’s “horrific” crimes and that he regrets the “limited interactions” he had with him.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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