Financial crime prosecutors in France have launched a preliminary inquiry into Jack Lang, the former Culture Minister, primarily due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The inquiry focuses on suspected laundering of tax fraud proceeds.
Lang, a prominent figure in French socialism during the 1980s and 2000s, faces scrutiny following the release of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Department of Justice. These files reveal numerous links between Lang's family and the late American financier.
The 86-year-old Lang, who is now the president of the Arab World Institute in Paris, has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, dismissing them as baseless. He has publicly stated that he will cooperate with the inquiry to clarify his integrity and honor.
His daughter, Caroline Lang, is also implicated and recently resigned from her position as head of a French film producers' union amid the investigation.
Lang has been named nearly 700 times in the Epstein files, and although he has faced calls to resign from his current post, he has so far resisted such pressure. The inquiry raises questions about potential financial misconduct, but reports clarify that neither Jack nor Caroline was implicated in Epstein's sexual crimes.
Lang has stated that he first met Epstein around 15 years ago when he had no knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities. He described their relationship as one based on mutual interests in art and culture.
France's foreign minister is set to meet with Lang as the investigation unfolds, which has stirred public opinion about the links between established political figures and controversial histories.
