Epstein links fallout: Hyatt chairman Thomas Pritzker quits

Thomas Pritzker announced Monday that he will step down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, acknowledging what he described as a “serious lapse in judgment” in maintaining ties with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

In a letter addressed to the company’s board, Pritzker, 75, said he will not seek re-election in 2026. In a public statement, he expressed regret over his past association with Epstein and Maxwell, saying he should have distanced himself sooner.

“Responsible leadership includes safeguarding the company’s reputation,” Pritzker said, adding that there was “no justification” for his continued contact with the pair.

Pritzker has led Hyatt as executive chairman since 2004, overseeing significant milestones during his tenure. Under his leadership, the hospitality giant went public, shifted toward an asset-light business model and steered through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network followed the U.S. Justice Department’s release of millions of internal records detailing his connections with influential figures across politics, finance, academia and business. The documents outline relationships that spanned years, including periods before and after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to prostitution-related charges involving a minor.

Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. He died later that year in a Manhattan jail cell; authorities ruled his death a suicide. Maxwell was subsequently convicted for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls.

Pritzker’s decision to step aside comes amid heightened attention on corporate governance and reputational accountability, particularly for leaders with past links to individuals involved in criminal misconduct.