French Authorities Open Investigation Into Former Culture Minister Over Links To Jeffrey Epstein
PARIS, February 7 (Reuters) – France’s Financial Prosecutor’s Office announced on Saturday that it had launched an investigation against former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline on suspicion of “aggravated tax evasion laundering”. jeffrey epstein.
Pressure mounts on Lang He will resign as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris, as files released by the US Justice Department on January 30 show that Epstein and Lang corresponded intermittently between 2012 and 2019, when the financier died by suicide in prison.
French media including Le Monde, Le Figaro and Mediapart said the preliminary investigation was launched 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 said he welcomed the investigation into X “with calm and even relief”.
“This will help shed light on accusations that attack my integrity and dignity,” he added.
Edward Berthelot via Getty Images
“The charges against me are unfounded and I will expose 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 dump has increased scrutiny of Epstein’s global connections to public figures, including Britain. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor– King Charles’ younger brother – Peter Mandelsonformer British ambassador to the United States and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.
(Reporting by Camille Raynaud, Tangi Salaun and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Louise Heavens and Kevin Liffey)
