Former French Minister of Culture Jacques Lange proposed to resign from the presidency of the Arab World Institute in Paris, after the Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday that it had opened a preliminary investigation into him and his daughter Caroline on suspicion of “money laundering” related to the proceeds of tax evasion, against the backdrop of suspicious financial relations with the American businessman convicted of sex crimes, Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on: 02/07/2026 - 15:26 Last updated: 02/07/2026 - 15:36

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The French authorities have opened a preliminary investigation into the head of the Arab World Institute in Paris and former minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline, against the backdrop of their relations with the American financier convicted of sex crimes Jeffrey Epstein, the French Financial Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday.

The office said that Lange and his daughter would be investigated on suspicion of “money laundering” related to the proceeds of tax evasion due to suspicious financial ties with Epstein.

Later Saturday, Jack Lang proposed resigning from the presidency of the Arab World Institute, a move met by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot with assurances that he would begin the search for a successor. In a letter to Barrow, Lang, who was summoned by the State Department to its headquarters on Sunday, wrote, “I propose to submit my resignation at an upcoming emergency meeting of the Institute’s Board of Directors.”

In response, Barrow told reporters upon his return to Paris after a tour in the Middle East that he "took note" of Lang's message. He added: "I will launch the process of selecting a successor to him as head of the Arab World Institute, and within a period of seven days, I will call for a session of the Board of Directors, which will name an acting president or president of the Institute."

Lange is the most prominent French figure involved after the US Department of Justice published millions of documents related to the financier who committed suicide in his cell in 2019, during his trial on charges of sex trafficking.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said during his visit to Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan that Lange "has been summoned by the ministry and will be received on Sunday." Barrow later continued from Beirut: “The first elements that are beginning to emerge from these files are new and very dangerous” and will require in-depth examination.

French media reports stated that Lang repeatedly contacted Epstein to obtain money or services, while his daughter's name appears in the files of an offshore company partly owned by the convicted American businessman.

Carolyn Lang resigned Monday from her position as president of the Independent Producers Guild in Film and Television.

Lang, who spent nearly 20 years as Minister of Culture and Education in various governments, denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, despite the latter's conviction in 2008 on charges of luring a minor into prostitution.

On Wednesday, Lang refused to resign from his position as president of the Arab World Institute, despite the many calls directed at him to step down. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but his lawyer Laurent Merlet said Sunday's meeting with Barrow was merely a meeting of his supervisory authority.

A source close to Lang also said on Friday that the latter is in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh.

France 24/AFP

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