French Prosecutors Launch Formal Probe Into Former Minister Over Epstein Connections
The French National Financial Prosecutor's Office has officially confirmed the opening of a preliminary investigation targeting former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang. The probe centers on suspicions of "aggravated tax fraud laundering," with authorities explicitly linking the case to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mounting Pressure Following Epstein Files Release
Pressure is intensifying on Jack Lang to resign from his position as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris. This follows last week's release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, which reveal intermittent correspondence between Lang and Epstein spanning from 2012 until the financier's death by suicide in jail in 2019. Major French media outlets, including Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Mediapart, reported that the investigation was initiated directly in response to these disclosures, which exposed years of communication and financial connections, including offshore dealings.
The prosecutor's office confirmed the existence of the investigation but declined to provide additional specifics at this stage. Jack Lang, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, has been formally summoned by the French foreign affairs ministry, which serves as the supervisory authority for the Arab World Institute. This cultural and research institution is dedicated to promoting understanding of the Arab world.
Legal Response and Institutional Fallout
"Jack Lang was a minister of state, he will make his decision in good conscience," stated his lawyer, Laurent Merlet, during an interview with BFM TV. This comment came in reaction to growing calls for Lang to step down from his institutional role. According to a Reuters review of the Epstein documents, Lang's name appears more than 600 times within the files, significantly amplifying scrutiny.
The fallout has extended to Lang's family, with his daughter Caroline resigning as head of France's Independent Production Union on Monday after her own connections to Epstein came to light. In a detailed defense, Lang's lawyer emphasized, "Jack Lang finds the presentation of the facts very unfair, but he is a fighter and will provide both his supervisory authority and the courts with all the necessary explanations to prove that he is not involved in any malpractice or criminal offence that could be attributed to him."
Merlet further clarified the financial aspect, asserting, "There has been no movement of funds ... But I think it is normal for the justice to want to verify this." He expressed hope that prosecutors would act swiftly to resolve the matter.
Broader Implications of Epstein Document Release
The extensive file dump has triggered heightened global scrutiny of Epstein's network of connections with prominent public figures. Beyond the French investigation, the documents have implicated other high-profile individuals, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States. This case underscores the ongoing international repercussions of the Epstein scandal, as legal authorities worldwide examine financial and personal ties to the convicted offender.
