French police conducted a raid on the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris as part of an investigation into its former president, Jack Lang, and his daughter, Caroline Lang. The probe, led by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office, focuses on suspicions of aggravated tax fraud and money laundering linked to their names appearing in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. Lang, a former culture minister, resigned from the institute to protect its reputation, denying all allegations.
The investigation and leadership change occur at a critical time for the cultural institution, which already faces significant financial strain and a structural deficit. The appointment of Anne-Claire Legendre as Lang's successor marks a historic moment as the first woman to lead the institute, but she inherits an organization grappling with legal scrutiny, waning influence, and funding challenges from its member states.