Billionaire hotel heir Tom Pritzker announced Monday he will retire as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and will not seek reelection to the board following newly released Justice Department files detailing his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Pritzker, who has held the role since 2004, acknowledged maintaining contact with Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell after Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, calling it “terrible judgment” and expressing regret for not distancing himself sooner.
Leadership Transition at Hyatt
Hyatt’s board named current president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian to immediately assume the role of chairman.
Broader Fallout From Epstein Files
Pritzker is among several prominent figures facing consequences after the latest disclosures about Epstein’s network. Economist Larry Summers was previously banned from the American Economic Association, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was replaced as head of DP World amid scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.
The Pritzker Organization has not issued additional comment.
For more on the Epstein files, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.