Schools Cancel Picture Day After Epstein-CEO Ties Alleged

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Several school districts across the United States have canceled or postponed class picture days after viral social media posts linked school photography company Lifetouch to a billionaire with ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lifetouch strongly denied the claims, saying neither Apollo Global Management executives nor Epstein had any access to student images.

Why it matters

The cancellations mark another ripple effect from the renewed scrutiny surrounding Epstein's associations and the release of investigative records. Parents expressed concerns about student data collection and the potential for Epstein or his associates to have access to student images, despite no evidence linking Epstein or his orbit to Lifetouch.

The details

The controversy stems from online claims connecting Lifetouch to Apollo Global Management, whose former CEO, billionaire investor Leon Black, had professional dealings with Epstein years ago. Black led Apollo in 2019 when funds managed by the firm acquired Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, in a $2.7 billion deal. Lifetouch denied the claims, saying neither Black nor Apollo executives ever had access to student images and that no Lifetouch executives had any relationship or contact with Epstein.

• Epstein died in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
• In 2019, funds managed by Apollo Global Management acquired Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, in a $2.7 billion deal.

What they’re saying

What’s next

There has been no evidence linking Epstein — or anyone in his orbit — to access to Lifetouch images, according to reviews of documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice.