Billionaire Tom Pritzker announced his departure on Monday as Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels, following the revelation of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in the recently unsealed US Department of Justice materials.
Pritzker, who has held the role of Executive Chairman since 2004, also indicated that he would not seek re-election to the company’s board of directors.
“Good governance also means safeguarding Hyatt, particularly in light of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which I deeply regret,” stated Pritzker, the heir to the Hyatt fortune, in a release.
He continued, “I exercised appalling judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for not having distanced myself sooner.”
Pritzker is another prominent figure facing repercussions after the release of documents that illustrate the extent of Epstein’s network among business and cultural elites. The disclosed files showed Pritzker had regular contact with Epstein, even subsequent to Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal concerning procurement of a minor for prostitution.
For instance, economist Larry Summers was previously banned for life from the American Economic Association due to his ties to the late sex offender. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, head of DP World, the world’s largest port operator, was also replaced due to close ties with Epstein.
Other global figures have similarly encountered public outrage and a range of consequences for their relationships with Epstein.
In one documented instance of contact between Pritzker and Epstein in 2018, Epstein enlisted Pritzker’s assistance in finding lodging for a woman traveling through Asia who was reportedly his girlfriend.
“Going to try and find a new girl for Jeffrey,” the woman wrote in a message when Pritzker inquired about her plans there.
“May the Force be with you,” Pritzker responded, including a smiling emoji.
The Hyatt board has appointed Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s current President and CEO, to succeed Pritzker as Chairman of the Board, effective immediately.
CNN reached out to the Pritzker Organization, which manages the family’s wealth and investments, where Pritzker currently serves as Executive Chairman.
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