Affaire Epstein: Paris approuve la démission de Lang
The French government on Sunday approved the resignation of former minister Jack Lang from the presidency of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, submitted the day before, after he was implicated for his links with the American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"I believe that Jack Lang made the only possible decision, the only desirable decision in the current situation. The situation was, it seems to me, untenable," said government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on franceinfo radio.
"There is a moral question that arises, it seems to me, quite obviously," added Ms. Bregeon, while recalling that it was "up to the justice system to determine the responsibilities of all stakeholders."
Former socialist Minister of Culture, famous for launching the concept of the Fête de la Musique in the 1980s which was adopted in several countries, Jack Lang offered his resignation on Saturday from the presidency of the IMA, a prestigious cultural institute dedicated to the Arab world.
Mr. Lang was under pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron, whose services had urged him to "think" about the image of the IMA, before soberly announcing that they "took note" of his resignation on Saturday.
Although no charges have been brought against him at this stage, the mention of his name 673 times in exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein and his links of interest with the American financier had prompted many members of the political class to demand his departure.
The national financial prosecutor's office, the entity responsible for combating major economic crime, opened a preliminary investigation on Friday against Jack Lang, as well as his daughter Caroline, who had founded an "offshore" company with Mr. Epstein, for "aggravated tax fraud laundering".
The former minister, who denounces "inaccurate accusations", claims in particular that he was unaware of the criminal past of the American financier, who died in prison in 2019.
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