From a celebrated French cultural figure to a key Norwegian diplomat in the Oslo Accords, and a respected Slovak former UN General Assembly president – prominent individuals across the globe are finding their reputations unraveling.
These are just a few of the high-profile individuals now facing severe consequences due to their ties with the disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein, a convicted sexual offender and financier, cultivated a vast network of connections. Now, many of these individuals are facing downfall as the unsavory details of their associations — some continuing even after his 2008 conviction — come to light through millions of pages of documents released by the U.S. Justice Department.
In France, former culture minister Jack Lang recently announced his resignation as head of the prestigious Arab World Institute in Paris. This decision followed revelations and an investigation into alleged financial connections between Lang, his family, and Epstein.
In Norway, Mona Juul, former ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, resigned after financial dealings between her, her husband, and Epstein came to light. Similarly, Miroslav Lajcak, the national security adviser to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, stepped down following the release of emails where he and Epstein seemingly exchanged casual remarks about young women.
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on Epstein’s ‘very extensive system’ this week, acknowledging that such revelations ‘fuel a lot of conspiracy theories and everything else.’
The controversy surrounding Epstein’s friendship with Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador, created such a political uproar that it initially jeopardized the position of Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who had appointed Mandelson.
The release of names has impacted public figures across various nations, leading to job losses, reputational damage, and potential legal action. Much like the Panama Papers scandal, the Epstein case has exposed the inner workings of elite political and social circles, stretching from Scandinavia all the way to South Asia.
The sheer volume of influential names appearing in these documents has compelled many global figures to publicly distance themselves from Epstein. Following social media claims of a meeting between Epstein and the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s office issued a statement on Sunday, unequivocally denying any such encounter or authorization for anyone to meet Epstein.
In India, the foreign ministry dismissed an email where Epstein seemingly claimed responsibility for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cordial demeanor during a 2017 state visit to Israel. The ministry denounced Epstein’s assertions as ‘trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal’ deserving ‘utmost contempt.’
However, India’s opposition Congress Party leveraged this reference, suggesting that Modi might be susceptible to manipulation by foreign ‘monsters.’ K.C. Venugopal, a high-ranking party official, publicly pressed the Prime Minister to address these ‘disturbing disclosures’ directly.
In a display of political opportunism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted email exchanges between Epstein and Ehud Barak, a former prime minister and a prominent critic of Netanyahu.
Netanyahu took to social media on February 6, claiming that Epstein’s ‘unusual close relationship with Ehud Barak doesn’t suggest Epstein worked for Israel. It proves the opposite.’ He further asserted that Barak, ‘stuck on his election loss from over two decades ago,’ had ‘for years obsessively attempted to undermine Israeli democracy.’
Barak, speaking in December, confirmed his attendance at lunches and dinners in Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. However, he stated he neither witnessed nor participated in any sexual abuse, adding, ‘I now deeply regret having any association with him.’
Slovak Prime Minister Fico framed the controversy surrounding Lajcak as a personal attack, lamenting that his advisor’s resignation would strip the country of ‘an incredible source of experience in diplomacy.’ Lajcak, in a statement to the Slovak Press Agency, vehemently denied any involvement or knowledge of sexual services: ‘I was never offered sexual services, I never participated in any, I never witnessed any, and I never had any information about them.’
Slovakian commentators, however, found these denials hard to believe, particularly considering the ‘locker-room’ nature of emails between Lajcak and Epstein, which included Lajcak’s comment about young women: ‘sharing is caring.’ Attempts to reach Lajcak for further comment via text message were unsuccessful.
Norwegian authorities have launched an investigation into Mona Juul and her husband, Terje Rod-Larsen, following media reports suggesting they were beneficiaries of $10 million in Epstein’s will. Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, stated that Juul displayed ‘a serious failure of judgment,’ while her lawyer asserted she ‘does not recognize the accusations made against her.’
Few nations have been as impacted by these revelations as Norway. Former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Borge Brende, the ex-Foreign Minister now heading the World Economic Forum, are all under intense scrutiny due to their connections. In response, Norway’s Parliament established an independent commission on Tuesday to thoroughly investigate these ties.
Kare R. Aas, Norway’s former ambassador to Israel, Afghanistan, and the United States, expressed that the revelations had caused ‘sadness and anxiety’ among diplomats. He anticipates that Juul and her husband will face legal consequences.
Aas emphasized Norway’s strict stance on corruption, stating, ‘No mercy in Norway on corruption, and Norwegians in higher positions such as politicians and ambassadors are no exception.’
Jack Lang’s situation in France stands as a stark example of the severe repercussions faced by those connected to Epstein. Throughout his distinguished career, Lang was celebrated for initiating popular cultural events and overseeing significant architectural projects. Now 86 and out of politics, he has maintained a respected public presence through his leadership of the Arab World Institute since 2013, an institution dedicated to promoting Arab culture and values.
Christine Ockrent, a Paris-based broadcaster, noted that Lang, while a cultural icon rather than a political heavyweight, ‘represents French culture, and Epstein probably thought he would get access to that through him.’
Lang’s name appears over 600 times in the released documents, detailing emails about lunches, dinners, and business transactions. These interactions reportedly began in 2012, when he stated he was introduced to Epstein by their mutual acquaintance, filmmaker Woody Allen.
According to the French investigative website Mediapart, Epstein co-owned an offshore fund with Lang’s daughter, Caroline, which she claimed Epstein established to support emerging artists. Mediapart also reported that Epstein bequeathed $5 million to Caroline, a film producer, in his will.
France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation into Lang and his daughter for ‘laundering of tax fraud proceeds.’ In a defiant social media post, Lang declared the accusations ‘unfounded’ and vowed to ‘prove this, despite the noise and fury of the media and digital courts.’