French police searched the Institut du monde arabe in Paris on February 16, 2026, dragging one of France’s most prominent political figures into the widening global fallout from newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents.
The raid was ordered by France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office after thousands of pages of U.S. court files became public, exposing connections that have triggered investigations across borders.
Officers searched the institute’s headquarters and seized documents as part of a preliminary probe into suspected tax fraud involving former French culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang. The pressure mounted after the released files showed Jack Lang’s name appeared 673 times in Epstein-related material between 2012 and 2019. Days later, Lang stepped down as president of the Arab World Institute, an influential cultural institution funded in part by the French state.
Lang is no marginal figure. He served multiple terms as culture minister and has been a dominant presence in French political and cultural life for decades. His association with Epstein has therefore ignited intense public debate in France, where questions are now being raised about elite networks and financial transparency.
Lang rejected the allegations. He said he met Epstein around 15 years ago through film director Woody Allen and was “completely shocked” when he later learned of the financier’s crimes. He labeled the accusations “unfounded” and said he welcomed the investigation “with serenity and even relief”.
At the center of the financial inquiry is an offshore company created by Epstein in 2016 that listed Caroline Lang as a joint owner. The structure reportedly held about 1.4 million dollars. Prosecutors are examining whether its setup or transactions breached French tax laws.
Caroline Lang denied misconduct. She described Epstein as an “acquaintance” and said she had been “incredibly naive”, maintaining she received “no remuneration, nor any benefit” from the fund. The family’s lawyer stated that “there was no movement of funds” tied to Epstein.
The Arab World Institute has not commented. A dedicated team of prosecutors is now combing through the Epstein files as the investigation deepens.
