French Ex-Minister Jack Lang Faces Tax Fraud Probe Linked to Jeffrey Epstein
The French National Financial Prosecutor's Office has initiated a preliminary investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang. The probe focuses on suspicions of 'aggravated tax fraud laundering,' a development directly connected to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mounting Pressure for Resignation
Pressure is intensifying on Jack Lang to step down from his role as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris. This follows the release of documents last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, which reveal intermittent correspondence between Lang and Epstein spanning from 2012 until Epstein's death by suicide in jail in 2019.
French media outlets, including Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Mediapart, reported that the investigation was launched after these U.S. Justice Department files came to light. The documents detail years of correspondence and financial links between Lang and Epstein, including offshore connections.
Official Confirmation and Legal Response
The prosecutor's office has confirmed the existence of the investigation but has not provided additional details at this time. Jack Lang, who denies any wrongdoing, has been 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.
Lang's lawyer, Laurent Merlet, addressed the situation in a statement to BFM TV. "Jack Lang was a minister of state, he will make his decision in good conscience," Merlet said, responding to growing calls for Lang to resign from his position.
Extensive Epstein File References and Family Impact
A Reuters review of the Epstein documents indicates that Jack Lang's name appears more than 600 times within the files. In a related development, Lang's daughter Caroline resigned as head of France's Independent Production Union on Monday. Her resignation came after her own connections to Epstein were publicly revealed.
Laurent Merlet further elaborated on Lang's stance, stating, "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."
The lawyer also commented on the financial aspects, noting, "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 the prosecutor would act swiftly in the matter.
Broader Implications of Epstein File Release
The release of the Epstein files has significantly increased scrutiny of the financier's global network of connections with public figures. This includes high-profile individuals such as Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States.
The investigation into Jack Lang underscores the far-reaching consequences of the Epstein case, extending into French political and cultural spheres. As the probe unfolds, it continues to draw attention to the complex web of relationships that Epstein maintained with influential personalities worldwide.
