Hyatt Chairman Steps Down Over Epstein Ties
- The executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Thomas Pritzker, has stepped down from his position following the release of US Justice Department files detailing his long-standing relationship with...
- Pritzker, 75, who has served as executive chairman since 2004, will also not seek re-election to the company’s board at the upcoming shareholder meeting in May.
- The decision follows the publication of documents revealing regular communication between Pritzker and Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex crime charges.
The executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Thomas Pritzker, has stepped down from his position following the release of US Justice Department files detailing his long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move, announced on Monday , comes amid increasing scrutiny of prominent figures linked to Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Pritzker, 75, who has served as executive chairman since , will also not seek re-election to the company’s board at the upcoming shareholder meeting in May. In a statement, Pritzker expressed “deep regret” over maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell, describing his actions as “terrible judgement” and acknowledging that he should have distanced himself sooner. “Good stewardship… means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” he said.
The decision follows the publication of documents revealing regular communication between Pritzker and Epstein even after Epstein’s conviction on sex crime charges. The files, released by the US government, have exposed a network of connections between Epstein and a number of high-profile individuals across business, politics, and culture.
Details emerging from the released files include an email exchange from in which Epstein sought Pritzker’s assistance in securing travel arrangements for a woman traveling in Asia. According to reports, the woman indicated she was attempting to find a new girlfriend for Epstein, to which Pritzker reportedly replied, “May the Force be with you.”
Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in a conspiracy to traffic girls. Epstein died in prison in while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, a death ruled a suicide.
Hyatt Hotels acknowledged Pritzker’s retirement in a statement, but did not directly mention Epstein or the circumstances surrounding the decision. The company confirmed that Pritzker would be stepping down as executive chairman and would not be standing for re-election to the board.
Pritzker’s departure marks the latest in a series of repercussions for individuals linked to Epstein. Economist Larry Summers was previously banned for life from the American Economic Association due to his ties to Epstein, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, head of DP World, was replaced in his position following revelations of a close friendship with the convicted financier. These cases highlight the far-reaching consequences of association with Epstein, even in the absence of direct evidence of wrongdoing.
The fallout from the Epstein files continues to reverberate, prompting a re-evaluation of relationships and raising questions about due diligence and ethical conduct among the elite. The ongoing release of documents is expected to lead to further scrutiny and potential consequences for those connected to Epstein and Maxwell.
Thomas Pritzker is a member of the prominent Pritzker family, known for its extensive business holdings and philanthropic endeavors. He is also a cousin of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is considered a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in .