Financial crime prosecutors in France say they have opened a preliminary inquiry into former Culture Minister Jack Lang over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Lang, a major figure in French socialist governments between the 1980s and 2000s, is being investigated for suspected laundering of tax fraud proceeds.
It follows the US Department of Justice's release of the Epstein files, which have documented links between the Lang family and the late American sex offender.
Lang, now 86, denies wrongdoing and on Saturday described the allegations against him as baseless. He told AFP the investigation will bring much light onto the accusations that are questioning my probity and my honour.
Hours after the investigation was announced, Lang offered to resign as head of the Arab World Institute, a body that promotes cooperation and exchanges between France and Arab nations. He expressed his intention to submit his resignation at the next board meeting.
Lang is cited almost 700 times in the Epstein files. Following the recent developments, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged Lang's resignation offer and initiated the process to find a successor.
Lang's daughter Caroline, 64, is also under investigation and has already stepped down as head of a French film producers' union amidst the controversy.
The former minister claims he was unaware of Epstein's past when they met around 15 years ago, emphasizing that he was introduced to him by actor-director Woody Allen.
Details from the Epstein files reveal that Lang sought financial assistance from Epstein on multiple occasions, including use of his car and private jet.
Caroline Lang revealed her encounter with Epstein in 2012, during which he had expressed interest in investing in artists. She acknowledged in her interview that she had been incredibly naive concerning Epstein's intentions.
While the investigation unfolds, both Lang and his daughter maintain they were not implicated in Epstein's sexual crimes, which led to the financier's death in prison in 2019.
