Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in one of the images released by the US Department of State. Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in one of the images released by the US Department of State. Photo / US Justice DepartmentThe executive chairman of the Hyatt hotel chain stepped down today after emails revealing his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. United States businessman Thomas Pritzker maintained contact with Epstein well after the latter was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. “Good stewardship... means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” Pritzker said in a statement picked up by US media.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 17, 2026 13:54 UTC