France to probe ex-minister after Epstein file dump
The French Financial Prosecutor’s Office announced that it has launched an investigation against former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline on suspicion of ‘aggravated tax evasion laundering’; The move follows the release of files linked to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Pressure is mounting for Lang to resign as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris as files released by the US Justice Department on January 30 show Epstein and Lang corresponded intermittently between 2012 and 2019, when the financiers died by suicide in prison.
French media including Le Monde, Le Figaro and Mediapart said the preliminary investigation was opened after US documents revealed years of correspondence and financial connections between Lang and Epstein.
The office confirmed the investigation but did not provide further details.
Jack Lang was summoned on Sunday to report to the State Department, which oversees the Arab World Institute, a cultural and research institution that promotes understanding of the Arab world.
Lang told X he welcomed the investigation “with calm and even relief”.
“This will allow for the clarification of accusations that attack my integrity and dignity,” he added.
“The charges against me are baseless and I will show this beyond the noise and fury of the media and digital courts.”
Lang’s name appears more than 600 times in the Epstein files, according to a Reuters review. On Monday, longtime media executive Caroline Lang resigned as president of the French Association of Independent Productions after her ties to Epstein were revealed.
Jack Lang’s lawyer told BFM TV he will “prove that he was not involved in any malpractice or crime”.
“There has been no movement of funds… But I think it is normal that justice wants to confirm this,” said Laurent Merlet.
The dossier dumps have increased scrutiny of Epstein’s global connections to prominent figures including Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, and Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
