From the sun-drenched luxury of Palm Beach to the elegant streets of Paris, Jeffrey Epstein’s dark legacy has crossed oceans once again—this time dragging one of France’s most celebrated cultural icons into the storm.
In a stunning turn, former Culture Minister Jack Lang, 86, once a symbol of French sophistication and creativity, now finds himself at the center of twin Paris investigations sparked by the explosive 2026 Epstein file releases. Prosecutors are probing sex trafficking connections that may have reached French victims, while financial crimes units target alleged tax fraud and money laundering tied to offshore dealings involving Lang, his daughter Caroline, and Epstein’s network—including frequent correspondence, private jet favors, and a Virgin Islands company.
Raids on the prestigious Arab World Institute, where Lang recently resigned amid the scandal, have intensified the shock across France’s elite circles. What other secrets from those years of “generous” friendship will surface next?
From the sun-drenched luxury of Palm Beach to the elegant streets of Paris, Jeffrey Epstein‘s dark legacy has crossed oceans once again—this time dragging one of France’s most celebrated cultural icons into the storm.
In a stunning turn, former Culture Minister Jack Lang, now 86 and long regarded as a symbol of French sophistication, creativity, and Socialist politics, finds himself at the center of intense scrutiny sparked by the explosive release of millions of Epstein-related files by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January 2026. Lang’s name appears nearly 700 times—673 mentions—in the correspondence spanning 2012 to 2019, revealing frequent exchanges, requests for favors like private jet use or car services, and plans for meetings, including in Marrakech.
The fallout escalated rapidly. On February 6, 2026, France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) opened a preliminary investigation into Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang, 64, for suspected “laundering of the proceeds of aggravated tax fraud.” Reports from investigative outlet Mediapart highlighted alleged ties through an offshore company in the U.S. Virgin Islands—Prytanee—supposedly set up with Epstein’s involvement, involving art dealings and a reported $1.4 million deposit. Caroline Lang, who once worked for media tycoon Robert Maxwell (father of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell), has been named in connection to the entity and Epstein’s will. Both father and daughter have denied wrongdoing, insisting no funds moved and they knew nothing of Epstein’s crimes.
The pressure mounted swiftly. Lang resigned as president of the prestigious Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe – IMA) in Paris on February 7, 2026, after 13 years in the role, following summons from the Foreign Ministry and widespread political calls for his departure. The resignation came amid revelations of the financial probe and Epstein links.
Then, on February 16, 2026, French police conducted dramatic raids at the IMA—searching offices while Lang held a farewell ceremony—and other locations, including his apartment. Prosecutors sought documents related to the alleged financial improprieties. No charges have been filed yet, and Lang maintains his innocence, describing himself as “completely innocent” and “serene.”
This forms part of broader Paris investigations triggered by the Epstein files. On February 18, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced two “framework” probes: one into human trafficking and sexual exploitation (including recruitment of victims), the other into financial crimes like money laundering, tax fraud, corruption, and breaches of probity. Five magistrates are reviewing flight logs, emails, survivor complaints, and new filings, with public appeals for French victims to come forward.
The Lang case highlights how Epstein’s network allegedly extended into elite French circles through “generous” friendships—private travel perks, hospitality, and business entanglements. While the sexual abuse probe remains separate from Lang’s financial scrutiny, the overall scandal has shocked cultural and political France, raising questions about oversight and influence.
As investigators dig deeper into the “titanic” evidence, the question looms: what other secrets from those years of apparent camaraderie will surface? For now, the once-untouchable figure of Jack Lang stands as a stark reminder that Epstein’s shadow reaches far, even into the heart of Parisian cultural prestige, threatening reputations built over decades.
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