ANKARA

Tom Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel chain whose name appeared multiple times in newly released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, has stepped down as chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the company said.

According to The New York Times on Monday, Pritzker is the latest prominent figure to step down following renewed scrutiny over ties to Epstein, the financier who was charged with operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls and was found dead in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

In a letter to Hyatt’s board, Pritzker said he was stepping down effective immediately.

“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” Pritzker wrote.

He acknowledged that maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell was a “terrible judgment” and said he had “no excuse” for not distancing himself from them sooner.

Documents released by the US Justice Department show that Pritzker remained in regular contact with Epstein even after Epstein pleaded guilty in June 2008 to state charges involving a minor. The records indicate the two frequently exchanged messages to confirm dinners and meetings.

Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted in federal court of helping recruit and groom underage girls for Epstein’s abuse.