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  "path": "/business/2026/02/17/thomas-pritzker-resigns-hyatt-hotels-jeffrey-epstein-emails",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-17T11:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wbez.org",
  "textContent": "<p>Prominent Illinois civic figure <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/10/17/18400266/battle-of-billionaires-pritzker-and-pal-of-rauner-make-forbes-cut\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Thomas Pritzker</u></a> stepped down as executive chairman of Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp., the company announced Monday.</p><p>The news comes months after recently released documents show convicted sex offender <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/washington/2025/11/19/jeffrey-epstein-thomas-pritzker-emails-deeper-ties-jb-pritzker-cousin\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Jeffrey Epstein</u></a> exchanged at least 20 emails with Pritzker, who is Gov. JB Pritzker’s cousin, for years after Epstein's 2008 plea deal on sex crimes charges.</p><p>“My job and responsibility is to provide good stewardship,” Pritzker said in a news release Monday. “Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”</p><p>Pritzker, 75, has not been accused of any wrongdoing, nor has he been named in any investigation into Epstein’s crimes.</p><p>In email exchanges, Pritzker and Epstein remarked on current events and made plans to see each other, according to a review of some of the 20,000 pages of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2025/07/17/sen-dick-durbin-requests-immediate-release-epstein-files\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>documents</u></a>.</p><p>The emails stretch from at least 2010 — two years after Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from a child as young as 14 — to early 2019, the year Epstein was arrested on suspicion of child sex trafficking. Epstein killed himself <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/8/26/22643714/troubled-jail-where-jeffrey-epstein-killed-himself-closing\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>in jail</u></a><u> in Manhattan</u>, according to the local medical examiner.</p><p>Pritzker informed Hyatt’s board of directors that he has retired as executive chairman, effective immediately, according to a news release Monday. He will not seek re-election to its board of directors at Hyatt’s annual stockholders’ meeting in May.</p><p>He also serves as executive chairman of The Pritzker Organization, an investment firm, and as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago. Neither immediately responded to requests for comment late Monday afternoon.</p><p>Pritzker wrote in a letter to Hyatt’s board that he and his wife, Margot, “are now in a phase of our lives where we are thinking about good stewardship and that includes structuring a proper handoff to the future.”</p><p>He added, “For 70 years, Hyatt has been part of our family’s identity and our family has been part of Hyatt’s identity. Good stewardship is very important to me personally.”</p><p>Pritzker served as a Hyatt board member and as executive chairman since August 2004. Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s president and chief executive, succeeds Pritzker as chairman of the board, effective immediately.</p><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/02/08/gerhard-richter-most-expensive-painting-ever-sold-2013-park-hyatt-chicago-lobby\" >One of the most expensive paintings by a living artist hung unnoticed in a Downtown hotel lobby</a> </li> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2025/03/16/cindy-pritzker-obituary-matriarch-illinois-hyatt-architecture-library\" >Cindy Pritzker, beloved family matriarch and philanthropist, dies at 101</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Hoplamazian said in a news release: “Tom’s decision reflects his stewardship and strong commitment to Hyatt over his many decades of service. Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our strategy for long-term growth, advancing care for our colleagues, delivering meaningful experiences for our guests, and driving performance for owners and value for our stockholders.”</p><p>Hyatt's portfolio contains more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents as of the end of 2025, according to the company.<br></p>",
  "title": "Thomas Pritzker resigns from Hyatt Hotels' board citing Epstein emails",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-17T11:30:19.605Z"
}