The wave of high-profile resignations and firings shed light on Jeffrey Epstein’s vast social and professional network
Millions of Department of Justice (DOJ) files released recently in connection with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have triggered a global wave of high-profile resignations and firings, shedding light on his vast social and professional network.
The files, comprising mostly emails, have implicated leaders across business, finance, politics, and academia.
Among the latest to step down is Hyatt Hotels Executive Chairman Tom Pritzker. He resigned yesterday after his friendly email exchanges with Epstein following his 2008 conviction. Pritzke said that he “exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact.”
Other notable figures who maintained such contact with Epstein and have since resigned or been fired include: Kathryn Ruemmler, the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs, Yale University computer science professor David Gelernter, and OpenAI board member and former Harvard University president Larry Summers.
The fallout has also crossed international borders, shaking the UK government with the firing of ambassador Peter Mandelson and the resignation of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney. Even the British Royal Family remains embroiled, as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, saw further stripping of his titles.
In the US, former President Bill Clinton and his wife, the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have been subpoenaed to testify about their connection with Epstein. They are scheduled to appear at the end of February.
These departures show the growing intolerance for past associations with Epstein and how institutions are moving quickly to distance themselves from the scandal.