Parisian authorities have executed search operations at the prestigious Arab World Institute (IMA) as part of an expanding judicial examination into connections between the institution’s former president Jack Lang and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation follows the discovery of Lang’s name appearing approximately 700 times in recently unsealed Epstein documents.
The 86-year-old former Socialist culture minister, who resigned from his IMA leadership position just over a week ago, now faces scrutiny from French financial prosecutors for alleged “laundering of the proceeds of tax evasion.” Lang has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, characterizing the accusations as entirely unfounded.
During a meeting with IMA staff members on Monday, Lang maintained his innocence, stating: “I am completely serene because I have nothing to conceal. This investigation will ultimately vindicate me.”
The probe has expanded to include Lang’s daughter, Caroline Lang, 64, following revelations about their involvement with an offshore entity established jointly with Epstein in the US Virgin Islands. This company, ostensibly created for art acquisition purposes, was never declared to French tax authorities.
Additional complications emerged with reports identifying Caroline Lang as a named beneficiary in Epstein’s will, though she has publicly denied any knowledge of such inheritance arrangements. French media also note her previous employment with Robert Maxwell, father of Epstein’s convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Further investigation centers on a $50,000 payment Epstein allegedly made toward production costs for a documentary film chronicling Jack Lang’s political career. Lang served as culture minister under President François Mitterrand and is widely credited with establishing France’s celebrated Fête de la Musique.
The Paris prosecutor’s office emphasizes that current proceedings represent a preliminary enquiry based on unverified information, which may not necessarily result in formal charges. French investigators continue examining multiple French connections within the Epstein documents, including deceased modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died by suicide in Paris custody in 2022 while facing allegations of procuring minors for Epstein.
The Arab World Institute, inaugurated in 1987 as a major cultural center promoting Arab-French relations, remains operational despite the investigation into its former leadership.