AgenciesThomas PritzkerThomas Pritzker said on Monday he stepped down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, acknowledging "terrible judgment" in maintaining contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Pritzker, 75, would not seek re-election to the company's board ‌in 2026, ⁠he ⁠said in a letter to the company's board. "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," Pritzker said in a statement. Pritzker has served ⁠as executive chairman since 2004 and highlighted the company's growth and resilience during his tenure, including taking Hyatt public, adopting an "asset-light" strategy and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Justice Department's release of millions of internal documents related to Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex ‌offender's ties to many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business - both before and after he pleaded ⁠guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl.Live Events Evidence in multiple legal and criminal cases has also shed light on these connections. Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors. His 2019 death in a Manhattan jail cell was ruled a suicide.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onHyattThomas PritzkerHyatt HotelsEpsteinGhislaine MaxwellU.S. Justice Departmentbusiness leadershipsex trafficking (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onHyattThomas PritzkerHyatt HotelsEpsteinGhislaine MaxwellU.S. Justice Departmentbusiness leadershipsex trafficking Explore More StoriesQuote of the day by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: ‘One has to pay dearly for immortality; one has to die several times…’What is Sleep Divorce? As couples struggle with sleep and stress, a new approach is gaining popularity to preserve rest and relationship harmonyWord of the day: LogolepsyQuebec liberals unite behind new leader Charles Milliard as party seeks reset after leadership crisisChina lifts visa requirement for Canadians in major diplomatic thaw, signaling reset in Ottawa-Beijing relationsQuote of the Day by Queen Elizabeth II: ‘When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead…’Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $55M as total prize pool hits $59M for Feb. 17 drawVictor Wembanyama’s Marty Supreme jacket goes viral after Timothée Chalamet’s shout-out at NBA all-star weekendHudson Williams’ girlfriend has been by his side since he had ‘no job’; Heated Rivalry actor shares valentine’s day tributeLEGO Ideas Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse announced; preorders open, price details for US, Canada, UK and AustraliaQuote of the Day by Queen Elizabeth I: ‘I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of…’Arthur Laing Bridge reopens after barge hit causes hours of disruptionDid Canada cheat in curling? Sweden–Canada curling controversy in Milano Cortina 2026 explained123