The French Financial Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter, Caroline Lang, on allegations of aggravated tax fraud laundering. This probe follows the release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice that detail extensive correspondence between Lang and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation is seen as a response to growing scrutiny over Lang’s connections to Epstein, particularly in light of the files made public on January 30, 2024.
Lang, who currently serves as the president of the Arab World Institute in Paris, faces increasing pressure to step down from his position. The documents reveal that Lang and Epstein corresponded intermittently from 2012 until Epstein’s death in 2019. Reports from French media outlets, including Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Mediapart, indicate that the preliminary investigation centers on the nature of the financial ties between the two.
Although the Financial Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the investigation, they have not disclosed further details. Lang has been summoned to report to the French Foreign Ministry on Sunday, which oversees the operations of the Arab World Institute, an organization dedicated to fostering understanding of the Arab world.
In a statement on social media platform X, Lang expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. He stated, “I welcome the investigation with serenity and even relief. It will allow all the light to be shed on accusations attacking my integrity and my honour.” Lang has firmly denied the allegations, asserting that they are unfounded and expressing confidence that he can clear his name from what he described as a media frenzy.
According to a review by Reuters, Lang’s name appears more than 600 times in the released Epstein files. The fallout from these revelations has also impacted Caroline Lang, who resigned from her position as head of France’s Independent Production Union following the emergence of her own connections to Epstein.
Lang’s legal counsel, Laurent Merlet, emphasized on BFM TV that there has been no movement of funds linked to his client. “I think it is normal for justice to want to verify this,” Merlet stated, affirming Lang’s commitment to proving his innocence against any claims of wrongdoing.
The release of Epstein’s documents has intensified investigations into his relationships with numerous public figures, including notable individuals such as Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson. As this investigation unfolds, the implications for those involved continue to develop, highlighting the complex web of connections surrounding Epstein’s extensive network.
