The French Financial Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into former culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang on suspicions of aggravated tax fraud laundering. This development follows the release of files related to the late convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that have raised serious questions about their financial dealings and correspondence.
On February 7, 2024, the prosecutor’s office confirmed that the investigation was prompted by documents released on January 30 by the U.S. Department of Justice. These files revealed that Lang and Epstein had communicated intermittently from 2012 until 2019, the year Epstein died by suicide in jail. French media outlets, including Le Monde and Le Figaro, detailed that the preliminary investigation stemmed from these revelations, underscoring the potential implications for Lang’s position as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris.
As pressure mounts for Lang to resign from his role at the cultural institution, he has been summoned to report to the Foreign Ministry on Sunday. In response to the investigation, Lang expressed his willingness to cooperate, stating on social media platform X that he welcomes the scrutiny “with serenity and even relief.” He added that the investigation would help clarify the “accusations attacking my integrity and my honour,” asserting that the claims against him are unfounded.
Lang’s name reportedly appears over 600 times in the Epstein files, raising concerns about the nature of his connections with the financier. Following the emergence of her own ties to Epstein, Caroline Lang resigned as head of France’s Independent Production Union earlier this week.
In a statement to BFM TV, Lang’s lawyer, Laurent Merlet, emphasized that his client would demonstrate that he is not involved in any illegal activities. “There has been no movement of funds… but I think it is normal for the justice to want to verify this,” Merlet noted.
This investigation adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s extensive network of relationships with various public figures globally. Other notable individuals linked to Epstein include Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States.
As the inquiry unfolds, both Jack and Caroline Lang face heightened public attention and potential legal ramifications from the findings of the investigation. The case has implications not only for their personal and professional lives but also for the broader discourse regarding accountability among influential figures.
The legal proceedings are expected to develop further in the coming weeks, as investigators assess the full scope of the allegations and their potential impact on the involved parties.
