Epstein Files Reveal French Figures, Prompting Investigation

The release of over 2.7 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case has uncovered connections to prominent French individuals.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The U.S. Justice Department's release of the 'Epstein Files' on January 30, 2026, has sparked a new investigation into potential wrongdoing by French figures, including former Minister of Culture Jack Lang. The massive trove of documents, including emails, videos, and heavily redacted materials, has presented a challenge for journalists and researchers as they work to uncover the full scope of Epstein's network and the involvement of various high-profile individuals.

Why it matters

The Epstein case has been a long-standing source of controversy, with allegations of sex trafficking and abuse implicating numerous prominent figures in politics, the arts, and luxury industries. The release of these files represents a significant step towards transparency and accountability, though the sheer volume of information poses difficulties in fully understanding the extent of the connections and potential wrongdoing.

The details

The files contain references to hundreds of individuals, including French figures such as Jack Lang and his daughter, Caroline Lang. Lang, a former French Minister of Culture, is cited 673 times in the documents, suggesting potential conflicts of interest, including gifts and services received from Epstein. Emails from 2015 detail negotiations surrounding the sale of a riad in Marrakech, while in 2017, Lang reportedly thanked Epstein for his 'infinite generosity' and requested the use of his car for a trip near Paris. Facing scrutiny, Lang has resigned from his position as president of the Institut du Monde Arabe, and the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of 'aggravated tax fraud laundering'.

  • The 'Epstein Files' were released by the U.S. Justice Department on January 30, 2026.
  • In 2015, emails detail negotiations surrounding the sale of a riad in Marrakech involving Jack Lang.
  • In 2017, Lang reportedly thanked Epstein for his 'infinite generosity' and requested the use of his car for a trip near Paris.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

An American financier who was arrested in July 2019 on charges related to sex trafficking. He died in his New York prison cell a month later, prompting numerous accusations of sexual assault and abuse.

Jack Lang

A former French Minister of Culture who is cited 673 times in the released documents, suggesting potential conflicts of interest, including gifts and services received from Epstein. Lang has resigned from his position as president of the Institut du Monde Arabe, and the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of 'aggravated tax fraud laundering'.

Caroline Lang

The daughter of Jack Lang, who is also mentioned in the 'Epstein Files'.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of 'aggravated tax fraud laundering' related to Jack Lang's connections to Jeffrey Epstein.

The takeaway

The release of the 'Epstein Files' has uncovered new connections between prominent French figures and the disgraced financier, highlighting the ongoing challenges in fully understanding the scope of Epstein's network and the need for continued transparency and accountability in high-profile cases of this nature.