Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy American financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. He was known for associating with powerful figures and faced accusations of running a network that exploited underage girls. France has opened a criminal investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang of 86 years old and his daughter Caroline over suspected "aggravated tax-fraud laundering" linked to Epstein. The probe, launched by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) on February 6, 2026, follows the U.S. Depa

Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy American financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. He was known for associating with powerful figures and faced accusations of running a network that exploited underage girls.

France has opened a criminal investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang of 86 years old and his daughter Caroline over suspected "aggravated tax-fraud laundering" linked to Epstein.

The probe, launched by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) on February 6, 2026, follows the U.S. Department of Justice's release of Epstein files on January 30. Lang's name appears over 600–670 times in the documents, showing years of correspondence (2012–2019) where he sought favors like private plane use and thanked Epstein for a "splendid time" in 2017—long after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Key focus: An offshore company, Prytanee LLC, set up in 2016 in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Caroline Lang co-owned half the shares (with Epstein funding it fully), holding about $1.4 million reportedly for investing in emerging French artists. The firm was dissolved in 2020 after Epstein's death. Caroline says she invested nothing, received no funds, and was "incredibly naive," learning of Epstein's full crimes only in 2014. She resigned Monday as head of France's Independent Production Union.

Jack Lang called the accusations "baseless" and welcomed the probe "with serenity and even relief." His lawyer vows to prove no wrongdoing.

Pressure mounted fast: Lang "offered" his resignation Saturday as president of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris (a role since 2013), which Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accepted. He was summoned Sunday to the Foreign Ministry (at the request of President Macron and others) to explain his ties. Even some in his Socialist Party urged him to step down to protect the institution.

Neither Jack nor Caroline Lang has been accused of involvement in Epstein's sex crimes. The investigation centers purely on potential financial irregularities, not sexual misconduct.

Jack Lang and daughter Caroline at Richard Fox  (Source Getty Images)

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