Jack Lang and His Daughter: Navigating the Fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein Papers
Caroline Lang Resigns from SPI Following Epstein Connection
Caroline Lang has stepped down as managing director of France’s Independent Producer Syndicate (SPI) amid revelations linking her and her father, former Culture Minister Jack Lang, to Jeffrey Epstein. This resignation comes in the wake of a document release by the U.S. Department of Justice, which included references to numerous influential figures associated with the convicted financier.
The documents indicate that Caroline Lang partnered with Epstein in 2016 through Pyrtanée LLC, a company focused on acquiring works from emerging French artists. However, it is essential to note that their listing in the documents does not imply any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes on their part.
In a recent interview with French investigative outlet Mediapart, Caroline Lang explained that she and her father were introduced to Epstein by U.S. director Woody Allen and his partner, Soon-Yi Previn, in 2012. By this time, Epstein had already served an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution from minors, though there is no evidence suggesting that the Langs were aware of this history.
Reflecting on her decision to collaborate with Epstein, Lang described herself as “astoundingly naïve” and stated, “As I didn’t put money into it – with all the funds coming from Jeffrey – I didn’t take on board the implications and consequences.” She acknowledged failing to disclose the U.S. Virgin Islands-registered company to French authorities.
Following the emergence of the news last weekend, Lang tendered her resignation from SPI on Monday after taking on the role just months prior. She communicated her decision via a statement to AFP, expressing her desire to prevent any negative impact on the syndicate, which represents over 570 independent producers.
SPI President Simon Arnal confirmed Lang’s resignation in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the organization had been unaware of “certain details” about her connection to Epstein, which had generated considerable surprise.
“This decision, made by Ms. Lang on her own to protect the SPI, its teams, and the advocacy it carries out for the industry, comes in a media climate that could unnecessarily weaken the union’s collective action,” Arnal stated.
In addition to her role at SPI, Lang also serves on the board of Series Mania, a French TV festival and market, and is involved with Fondation Le Refuge, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth rejected by their families.
Separate reports have also uncovered communications between Jack Lang and Epstein regarding a luxury villa in Marrakech. Jack Lang stated that he had only a vague memory of the exchange and was merely forwarding information for a potential seller.
Jack Lang, who held the Minister of Culture position from 1981 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1993, is a prominent figure in France’s cultural landscape, currently serving as president of the Arab World Institute in Paris since 2013. He asserted in a statement that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities, adding, “I fully accept the links I may have created but this was at a time when nothing suggested that Jeffrey Epstein could be at the heart of a criminal network.”
Describing Epstein, he said, “A willing patron of the arts, he frequented everyone in Paris at the time. We were charmed by his erudition,” and emphasized that he typically does not inquire about the criminal records of acquaintances.
