French prosecutors specializing in financial crimes have launched an investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang over suspicions of “money laundering linked to tax fraud” in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Lang, a prominent figure in French socialist governments from the 1980s to the early 2000s, is mentioned nearly 700 times in the files released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Epstein. Lang denies any wrongdoing and has described the allegations as “baseless.”
Following the announcement of the investigation, the 86-year-old resigned from his position as president of the Arab World Institute, an organization promoting cooperation between France and Arab countries. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that the search for his successor will begin shortly.
Additional family involvement: Lang’s daughter, Caroline Lang, 64, is also under investigation. She resigned this week as head of the French Film Producers’ Union after being mentioned in documents suggesting contacts with Epstein via a company registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Caroline Lang admitted she had been “extremely naive” but denied benefiting financially.
The files do not suggest that Jack Lang or his daughter were involved in Epstein’s sexual crimes, but they do indicate requests for favors and the use of Epstein’s private plane and car.
Jeffrey Epstein, the U.S. financier accused of sex trafficking, died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. The latest release of his files contains millions of documents and the names of wealthy and influential figures worldwide, reigniting scrutiny on high-profile connections.
