PARIS – French financial prosecutors have initiated a preliminary investigation into prominent former government minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline following disclosures in the recently unsealed Epstein documents. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the probe focuses on allegations of “laundering of aggravated tax-fraud proceeds” connected to their financial dealings with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The development intensifies pressure on Lang, an 86-year-old political veteran who has held multiple ministerial portfolios, to resign from his current position as president of the Arab World Institute (IMA), a prestigious cultural organization in Paris. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has summoned Lang for an emergency meeting on Sunday to address the “extremely serious” new information emerging from the documents.
Lang represents the most significant French political figure implicated in the latest document release related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while incarcerated on sex trafficking charges. While mere mention in the files does not indicate wrongdoing, French media reports detail that Lang repeatedly solicited financial support and favors from Epstein. Additionally, his daughter Caroline’s name appears in the corporate records of an offshore entity jointly owned with the disgraced billionaire.
In response to the growing scandal, Caroline Lang, a film producer, resigned earlier this week from her leadership role at the Independent Production Union. Her father, however, has thus far refused to step down from his cultural institute position despite mounting political pressure, including from within his own Socialist party.
The IMA, which receives approximately half of its annual €12.3 million budget from the French foreign ministry, finds itself at the center of the controversy. Lang’s attorney, Laurent Merlet, characterized the upcoming meeting with Minister Barrot as routine consultation with supervisory authorities rather than a disciplinary proceeding, while simultaneously disputing claims of any “close bonds of friendship” between Lang and Epstein.
The financial crimes investigation marks a significant escalation in the case, potentially carrying substantial legal and political consequences for the veteran statesman who has served nearly two decades in various government roles including Culture and Education Minister.