The Epstein affair is tarnishing the Lang family: while Jack Lang says he "fully accepts" his past relationships with the American sex offender, his daughter Caroline resigned from the head of a film producers' union after the revelation of ties of interest with the businessman.

The name of the current president of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris and that of his eldest daughter Caroline appear in a new batch of documents published Friday by the US Department of Justice, notably for an "offshore" real estate transaction in Morocco and a company founded in a tax haven.

"I have decided to step down from my position as general delegate of the SPI," the Independent Production Union, Caroline Lang announced Monday evening in a statement sent to AFP.

Appointed to this strategic position only "three weeks ago", she explains that she does not want "in any way for this situation to weaken or harm the union".

A few hours earlier, his father Jack Lang, 86, had reacted with a written statement to AFP: "I fully accept the links I may have created, at a time when nothing suggested that Jeffrey Epstein could be at the heart of a criminal network."

According to an investigation published Monday by Mediapart based on American documents, Caroline Lang founded an "offshore" company, Prytanee LLC, in 2016 with the businessman, domiciled in the American Virgin Islands.

- "Generous patron" -

In her statement on Monday evening, Caroline Lang was keen to clarify the nature of her ties with the financier, who died in prison in 2019.

"Jeffrey Epstein was an acquaintance. He was introduced to me in 2012, in my capacity as CEO of Warner Bros TV," she writes, describing a man "cultured, passionate about contemporary art" who would "occasionally ask her for advice on cultural outings."

Regarding the "offshore" company mentioned by Mediapart, it evokes the idea of a "perfectly legal fund intended to promote the acquisition of works by young artists".

"I received no remuneration or benefit from this fund," she asserts, claiming to have "immediately resigned" from any function related to this fund upon the revelation of Epstein's crimes.

According to Mediapart, the company Prytanee LLC had its accounts credited with $1.4 million and its purpose was the purchase of works of art.

When questioned by the online media outlet, Caroline Lang admitted to a "staggering naiveté" and not having declared this company to the French tax authorities.

She also appears in a financial will signed by Jeffrey Epstein two days before his death, promising her $5 million, a sum she claims to have been unaware of.

- A riad worth 5,400,000 euros -

While Jack Lang claims to have been "completely taken aback" when he discovered the financier's sexual crimes, email exchanges from the "Epstein files" detail direct business discussions between the Lang family and the sex offender.

A series of exchanges dated March 2015 reveals specific negotiations surrounding the sale of a riad in Marrakech, the "Ksar Masa".

According to the chronological account drawn from the documents, it all began on March 29, 2015 with the sending of a presentation of the property via WeTransfer by a third party.

The following day, Monique Lang, the wife of the former minister, wrote from her husband's account to the address " jeevacation@gmail.com " used by Jeffrey Epstein.

"Dear Jeffrey," she wrote, explaining that a friend wanted to sell his property and preferred "that we discuss it directly."

Jeffrey Epstein replied the same day, inquiring about the price.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Jack Lang responded specifically regarding the financial conditions: "the price is 5,400,000 euros, offshore," wrote the former minister.

When questioned by Mediapart about this episode, Jack Lang indicated that he did not remember "this story very well", believing that he "simply had to pass on the seller's demands, without comment".

In his statement to AFP, the former Minister of Culture (1981-1986 and 1988-1993) does not address these financial aspects but insists on the context of his relationship with the financier, whom he met "about fifteen years ago".

"A generous patron of the arts, he frequented all of Paris at the time. We were charmed by his erudition," he explains. "When I establish a friendly relationship, I don't usually ask my interlocutor about their criminal record."

A very short video from the latest series of "Epstein Files" shows Jack Lang alongside Epstein, in front of the Louvre pyramid, at an undetermined date.

Jeffrey Epstein was found hanged in his New York cell in August 2019, while awaiting trial for sex trafficking of minors.

"Today I feel a deep sadness and a sense of injustice," Caroline Lang concluded in her statement.