France Probes Ex-Minister Jack Lang Amid Epstein Controversy

Sun Feb 08 2026 00:51:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang faces a preliminary inquiry over allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, focusing on potential money laundering related to tax fraud. Despite the controversy, Lang denies any wrongdoing.

French prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into ex-minister Jack Lang concerning his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, particularly investigating suspected money laundering involving tax fraud proceeds. This inquiry follows the release of Epstein's files that reference Lang and his family. While Lang claims innocence, his position is under scrutiny, especially after revelations that he requested favors from Epstein. His daughter Caroline is also under investigation as part of the same case.

France Probes Ex-Minister Jack Lang Amid Epstein Controversy

Financial crime prosecutors in France have initiated a preliminary inquiry into Jack Lang, a former Culture Minister, scrutinizing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein for suspected laundering of tax fraud proceeds.

Lang, a prominent figure in French socialist governments from the 1980s to the 2000s, is being investigated following the US Department of Justice's release of Epstein files, which document associations between the Lang family and the late financier.

Now 86 years old and serving as the president of the Arab World Institute in Paris, Lang vehemently denies any wrongdoing, labeling the allegations as baseless. In a statement to AFP, he expressed confidence that the investigation would clarify the accusations undermining his integrity.

Additionally, Lang's daughter Caroline is also under examination in the case. After stepping down as head of a French film producers' union this week, she revealed that she first met Epstein in 2012 when he expressed interest in investing in young artists.

The Epstein files reportedly mention Lang nearly 700 times, exacerbating scrutiny on his lengthy political career. Lang maintains that he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities when they met about 15 years ago, and he believed Epstein to be passionate about art and culture.

Interestingly, while both Lang and his daughter have been entangled in this controversy, the files do not implicate them in any of Epstein's sexual crimes.

As the case unfolds, Lang has been summoned for talks by France's foreign minister, underlining the political and social implications of these revelations.