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Hyatt chairman resigns amid Epstein association fallout
Billionaire Thomas Pritzker announced his retirement as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels on Monday, citing "terrible judgement" in maintaining contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision follows the release of U.S. Department of Justice files detailing Pritzker's ongoing communication with Epstein after his 2008 plea deal.
Pritzker's statement and regrets
In a public statement, Pritzker acknowledged his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in Epstein's crimes. He expressed deep regret for not severing ties sooner, stating, "There is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner."
"Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret."
Thomas Pritzker, former Hyatt chairman
Pritzker, 76, emphasized his commitment to a smooth transition, noting Hyatt's "strong and sustainable position." However, his letter to the board made no mention of Epstein or Maxwell.
Leadership transition at Hyatt
Hyatt's board accepted Pritzker's resignation and appointed Mark Hoplamazian, the company's president and CEO, as his successor. Hoplamazian praised Pritzker's "stewardship and strong commitment" to the hotel chain over his two-decade tenure, which began in 2004.
Broader fallout from Epstein files
Pritzker is the latest high-profile figure to face scrutiny after the release of Epstein's documents, which revealed his connections to elite circles in business, politics, and academia. The files do not imply wrongdoing by those named, but several individuals have stepped down or faced public backlash.
Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs' top lawyer, Kathy Ruemmler, announced her departure after emails showed a close relationship with Epstein. Ruemmler denied knowledge of his crimes. Similarly, Brad Karp, chairman of law firm Paul Weiss, resigned in February after emails surfaced discussing Epstein's 2008 conviction.
Epstein's legal history
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, his longtime associate, was sentenced in 2021 for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein.
