One of the nation’s largest school photography companies is facing canceled photo shoots and district-wide investigations amid unsubstantiated online rumors suggesting that children’s photos could have been accessed by a person named in the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Several school districts announced this week that they have launched investigations into the popular company Lifetouch due to its former, indirect ownership by billionaire businessman Leon Black, who was an associate and friend of the late child sex offender.
“At this time, no evidence has been presented indicating misconduct involving Lifetouch’s operations within our schools or any compromise of student information. Nevertheless, we believe it is appropriate to review the matter carefully and transparently,” Clifton Public Schools, one of New Jersey’s largest school districts, wrote in a letter to parents on Wednesday.
Lifetouch has denied any wrongdoing.
A charter school in Arizona also told parents Tuesday that it was canceling its picture days scheduled for later this week “out of an abundance of caution.”
