In a significant corporate shakeup, Thomas Pritzker has resigned as executive chair of Hyatt Hotels, effective immediately. This decision follows the release of documents by the US Department of Justice that reveal Pritzker’s deep connections with the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Hyatt has confirmed that Mark Hoplamazian, the company’s president and chief executive, will take over Pritzker’s responsibilities.
The documents brought to light extensive email exchanges and multiple meetings between Pritzker and Epstein, covering a period that lasted over a decade until 2019. Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting sex from a minor in 2008, faced further charges related to federal child sex trafficking until his death in prison in 2019.
In a public statement, Pritzker expressed regret over his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of trafficking minors for Epstein in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He acknowledged exercising “terrible judgment” in maintaining contact with them and apologized for not distancing himself sooner, emphasizing his commitment to the stewardship of Hyatt and the need to protect its reputation.
At 75 years old, Pritzker has been a central figure at Hyatt since 2004 and previously held the positions of president and chief executive. Hyatt was founded by his father, Jay Pritzker, and has since grown into a major player in the hospitality sector.
Pritzker’s resignation is part of a broader trend of corporate resignations linked to Epstein’s revelations. Recently, Brad Karp, the chair of US law firm Paul Weiss, announced his resignation due to similar disclosures. Additionally, Kathy Ruemmler, general counsel at Goldman Sachs, also disclosed plans to step down following revelations about her connections to Epstein.
This situation continues to underscore the far-reaching implications of Epstein’s network and the accountability faced by those within it, notably in high-profile corporate roles.
