France's former culture minister resigns over Epstein-linked tax fraud investigation

France's former Culture Minister Jack Lang has tendered his resignation as director of the Paris-based Arab World Institute after allegations of past financial ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sparked a tax investigation.

The 86-year-old Lang, who served as culture minister under Socialist President François Mitterrand in the 1980s and 1990s, had been summoned to appear before French authorities but submitted his resignation instead. His lawyer, Laurent Merlet, described Lang as "very sad and deeply hurt" by the allegations, claiming they were "inaccurate".

Merlot also stated that Lang prioritized the interests of the Arab World Institute over any personal concerns. However, an investigation into Lang and his daughter Caroline has been launched over alleged aggravated tax fraud laundering.

A recent report by French investigative news website Mediapart revealed that Lang's name appeared in Epstein's released files more than 600 times between 2012 and 2019, with his daughter also mentioned. The US Department of Justice's release of the Epstein files on January 30 prompted the investigation into Lang's financial dealings.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has taken note of Lang's resignation and is now searching for a new director to lead the Arab World Institute.

OMG, I'm literally shocked by this news . I mean, who knew that someone as respected as Jack Lang had ties to Epstein? It's just not what you expect from someone in a position of power like that. And now he's resigning instead of facing the authorities? It feels like he's trying to sweep it under the rug . The fact that his daughter is also involved makes me even more uncomfortable . I'm all for people making amends and moving forward, but this just feels so shady. Can't we get some answers about what really went down here?

Oh man, I feel so bad for Jack Lang... I can only imagine how hard it must be for him to face these allegations after all those years. He sounds like a really nice guy who just got caught up in some bad stuff. It's not fair that his personal life is being scrutinized like this. And poor Caroline, she doesn't deserve to have her dad's name dragged through the mud like this too.

I also can't help but feel for the Arab World Institute, which is such an amazing resource for promoting understanding and dialogue between cultures. It's a shame that Jack Lang's personal issues are now affecting his work there. Fingers crossed they find someone new who can lead it forward with all the passion and dedication it deserves

Honestly, I'm all for accountability and transparency, but this feels like a total overreaction. 86 years old? Come on! What more does he have to hide? It's just allegations that need to be proven. All these years of Lang being associated with Epstein, and now all of a sudden it's a huge deal? I'm not saying he didn't make some questionable financial decisions, but let's not jump to conclusions here... . And what about the US Department of Justice releasing those files? That's a whole other can of worms. Can we please just give Lang the benefit of the doubt and see how this whole thing plays out?

I'm pretty surprised that it took until now for someone from Jack Lang's past to come back and haunt him like this . I mean, who would've thought that his ties to Epstein would be exposed at this point in his life? It's like, you can't escape the ghosts of your past forever, right?

I'm not buying all the drama about Lang being "very sad and deeply hurt" though - seems like he might be trying to spin a quick exit . Still, on one hand, I feel for him that this is happening now when he's 86 years old... it's just cruel, you know?

But on another hand, shouldn't someone in his position have been more transparent about their past dealings with Epstein? It's not like Lang is getting off scot-free or anything - there are still allegations of tax fraud and all that . Guess we'll see how this whole thing plays out...

It's quite surprising that allegations against former Culture Minister Jack Lang have led him to resign from his position at the Arab World Institute, despite his protests of innocence . The French authorities' swift action and investigation into his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein are a clear indication that transparency and accountability are being taken seriously in this case . While it's understandable that Lang would feel "very sad and deeply hurt" by the allegations, I think it's essential for public figures like him to maintain a high level of integrity and avoid any potential conflicts of interest . It will be interesting to see how the French government handles this situation and whether they can find a suitable replacement for Lang at the Arab World Institute

I'm so curious about this news . So France's former culture minister was involved with Jeffrey Epstein, who's a convicted sex offender... that's super weird . I mean, how could someone like that have connections with someone who did some really bad things? And now there's an investigation into the former minister's finances and his daughter's too! It seems like it's going to be a long road for Lang to clear his name. But what's even crazier is that this all started from Epstein's released files... like, how did we even know about those?

I'm not surprised, tbh. This scandal was brewing in my DMs from some "insiders" and I knew something fishy was going on. Jeffrey Epstein's connections are way more complicated than people think . Lang's response to the allegations just seems super rehearsed , you know? The whole thing feels like a PR disaster waiting to happen . Guess we'll have to wait and see how this plays out in court . One thing for sure is that Lang's resignation doesn't change the fact that someone with his history should've been scrutinized a lot sooner .

It seems like some people just can't seem to get out of their own messes . When you point one finger, three fingers are sure to come back at ya... it looks like Lang's past is catching up with him big time . Guess you could say he's getting a taste of his own medicine .

Just saw this thread from like, ages ago... anyway, what's up with Jack Lang? I mean, I'm not surprised he resigned, but 86? That's like, old news . Seriously though, financial ties to Epstein are super shady and now there's an investigation into tax fraud? Not cool, dude.

I don't know how accurate the allegations were, but it's a shame Lang is getting dragged through this. His daughter being mentioned in the files too is weird. Did he not do his due diligence on Epstein or what? Anyway, I guess we'll see how this whole thing plays out. Maybe Jean-Noël Barrot can find someone less... complicated for the Arab World Institute .

just heard about this, its crazy how one thing can blow up and ruin someone's life like that ... i mean, who knew lang had ties to epstein? it makes sense why they would investigate him though, especially since his daughter is involved too ... i feel bad for lang, he seems like a good guy and all, but you cant just ignore allegations like that . its sad that this has happened to someone who was once respected in french society... maybe itll be a lesson learned for others to be more transparent about their finances

so this is really messy for France ... I mean, it's one thing to have past ties with someone who ended up being a convicted sex offender like Epstein, but to think he didn't even disclose that info when he was running the culture ministry? That's some serious negligence right there .

And now an investigation is launched on his daughter too? That's just cruel... I don't know what's more disturbing - the fact that Lang supposedly lied about his connections to Epstein or that he thinks it's okay to hide that info from everyone else, including the public.

Anyway, it looks like Lang is stepping down as director of the Arab World Institute which is a shame because that org does some really cool stuff promoting cultural exchange between France and the Arab world . Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out...

This whole thing is so shady, isn't it? I mean, we're talking about a guy who's basically being accused of having ties to a convicted sex offender, and now he's resigning from his job without even going before the authorities. It's like he's trying to avoid scrutiny altogether. And let's not forget, this is just another example of how powerful people can use their connections to get out of trouble.

It raises questions about accountability and transparency in our institutions. I mean, if Lang was willing to submit his resignation over these allegations, doesn't that say something about the French government's handling of such situations? Are they more concerned with protecting the reputation of their leaders than ensuring justice is served?

And what's really going on here? Is this just a case of 'you can't touch me'? I think we need to keep digging and find out more about Lang's financial dealings and whether there's any truth to these allegations. After all, as citizens, it's our right to know what's going on behind the scenes of our government!

this is so sad lol i mean who wouldn't be hurt by false accusations but it makes me think about how fast info spreads these days & how important it is to verify things before jumping on the bandwagon anyway gotta give credit where credit is due - Lang sounds like a really dedicated guy, I've seen his work in Paris & he's got a ton of respect from the community

Wow! I'm shocked that someone with so much influence and experience would get tangled up in something like this. Interesting how quickly things can go from being respected cultural figures to embroiled in scandals... What's even more concerning is the fact that these allegations have put innocent people, like Lang's daughter, in the crosshairs of an investigation... poor woman!

OMG, this is soooo not good for France ! I mean, who knew that Jack Lang had ties to Jeffrey Epstein? That dude was like the ultimate symbol of creepiness . It's insane how Lang's daughter Caroline got dragged into it too - talk about family drama . And now he's out as director of the Arab World Institute because of these allegations... like, good riddance . I guess you could say his resignation is a major plot twist in this crazy story . But seriously, how did this all go down? It's like, you'd think someone would've checked his background before hiring him to run an org . Anyway, gotta give props to Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot for being on top of things and finding a new director ASAP .

This is getting all too familiar ... I mean, think about it, Lang was at the top, Culture Minister, and then he just so happens to have connections with Epstein, who's basically known as a pedophile and a master manipulator? It's not hard to suspect something fishy going on. And now his daughter is in the middle of this too... does that sound like a coincidence to you? I'm not saying Lang did anything wrong, but it's definitely worth investigating further. What's being covered up here?

omg i cant even believe this so like jack lang was involved with jeffrey epstein and didnt think it was a big deal apparently? my friend's cousin knew him (lol no joke) and they said he was super connected but also kinda sketchy? anyway lang resigned instead of facing the tax investigation which is weird i guess? his lawyer tried to spin it like it was all just a big misunderstanding but mediapart found some serious evidence lol now the arab world institute has to find a new director... hope they do better than lang

I'm so fed up with these rich folks trying to sweep their shady pasts under the rug . Can't they just be honest about who they've done business with? I mean, 600 times in Epstein's files? That's a lot of "friends" if you ask me . And now Lang is trying to spin it like he prioritized the Arab World Institute over his own family's finances? Give me a break . It's always about what they can get away with, not about doing what's right. I just wish we had more transparency in our institutions so these kinds of scandals could be exposed for real

France is dealing with another scandal, right? It seems like Jack Lang's past financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein are coming back to haunt him . I'm not surprised really, it's been a long time since the Epstein scandal broke out and this doesn't look good for Lang or his daughter Caroline .

I feel bad for Lang though, he's 86 and it's not fair that he's having to deal with all these allegations again . His lawyer saying he's "very sad and deeply hurt" by the accusations, but at the same time they're trying to brush it off as inaccurate .

It's also interesting how this investigation is happening now that Epstein's files have been released . I guess you could say Lang was trying to hide something from view . Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what the future holds for the Arab World Institute and if a new director will come in to shake things up .