Dean Kamen. Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Theo Wells-Spackman is a Report for America corps member who reports for VTDigger. Dean Kamen resigned from the Beta Technologies board of directors Wednesday, following revelations surrounding his relationship with Jeffery Epstein. “Dean Kamen has voluntarily stepped down,” read a statement from the South Burlington-based electric airplane company in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday morning. “Mr. Kamen made this decision to avoid potential distractions as the Company remains focused on executing its strategic priorities.” Files recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice appeared to show Kamen in frequent communication with Epstein well after his first conviction on sex crime charges in 2008. Emails describe Kamen visiting several of Epstein’s properties, both in New Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Beta Technologies said earlier this month that the company had hired a law firm to investigate Kamen’s appearance in the files.  “BETA treats these matters with utmost seriousness,” said the Feb. 6 statement. Kamen holds over 800,000 total shares in Beta through both direct ownership and a revocable trust, according to company filings last year — worth about $15 million at Thursday’s stock price. He also served on the board’s compensation committee. “Mr. Kamen has been a valued member of the Board and contributed significantly to the Company over many years through his guidance, leadership, and investment, as well as through his broader impact on advancing innovation, science, and engineering,” continued the Thursday filing. Kamen, a New Hampshire-based investor and entrepreneur, is best known for inventing the Segway. Read the story on VTDigger here: Beta Technologies board member resigns after appearance in Epstein files. ...read more read less