Hyatt Hotels chairman steps down over Epstein scandal
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- Thomas Pritzker steps down as Hyatt Hotels chairman after DOJ documents reveal contacts with Jeffrey Epstein
- Pritzker expresses regret, calls his judgment “extremely poor”
- Departure adds to growing scrutiny of prominent figures tied to Epstein
Thomas Pritzker, longtime chairman of Hyatt Hotels, announced his resignation following the release of US Department of Justice documents showing past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Pritzker, 75, said in a statement that he decided to step down after consulting with fellow board members to protect the company’s governance and reputation.
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“Good governance also means protecting Hyatt,” he said. “Especially in light of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which I deeply regret.”
Expressions of regret
Pritzker acknowledged maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell for years, calling it “extremely poor judgment” and saying there was “no excuse” for failing to cut ties sooner.
“I condemn their actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell,” he added. “I feel profound sorrow for the pain inflicted on their victims.”
The newly released documents indicate that Pritzker remained in regular communication with Epstein even after his criminal conviction, fueling renewed scrutiny of business leaders linked to Epstein.
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Broader fallout
The disclosure follows similar resignations by other prominent figures. Last week, Catherine Rommler, chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs, stepped down after revelations of her prior ties to Epstein.
Hyatt family legacy
Founded in the 1950s by Pritzker’s father, Jay Pritzker, Hyatt grew from a single Los Angeles hotel into a global hospitality empire. The family continues to hold significant control over the company.
Thomas Pritzker, who previously served as Hyatt’s chief executive, chaired the board for more than 20 years. The company has not yet announced a successor or outlined any immediate leadership changes following his departure.
