Paris: Jack Lang, France's former culture minister and a prominent political figure during the presidency of François Mitterrand, has stepped down as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris following allegations of past financial links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Lang, 86, is the most high-profile figure in France to be impacted by the release of documents related to Epstein by the US Department of Justice on January 30. His name reportedly appeared more than 600 times in the released files, which include records of intermittent correspondence between 2012 and 2019. His daughter, Caroline Lang, was also mentioned in the documents.
The French financial prosecutors' office confirmed it has opened an investigation into Lang and his daughter over alleged "aggravated tax fraud laundering." The probe follows reporting by investigative outlet Mediapart, which alleged financial and business connections between the Lang family and Epstein through an offshore company based in the US Virgin Islands.
Lang had been summoned to appear at the French Foreign Ministry, which oversees the Arab World Institute, but submitted his resignation before the meeting. The Foreign Ministry confirmed his resignation on Saturday evening.
His lawyer, Laurent Merlet, said Lang "is very sad and deeply hurt to be leaving a position he loves," adding that he "put the interests of the Arab World Institute first." Merlet also stated that Lang denies the allegations and considers them inaccurate.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has taken note of the resignation and initiated the process of appointing a successor, according to the ministry.
Lang had led the Arab World Institute since 2013. The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been announced at this stage. Authorities have not indicated any conclusions regarding criminal liability as the probe continues.
(With AP inputs)