Rock Hill drops scholar images firm

Rock Hill drops scholar images firm

Published 12:00 am Monday, March 2, 2026

Former CEO of Lifetouch dad or mum firm was named in Epstein information

Rock Hill native Schools introduced this week that they’ll not use the corporate Lifetouch for scholar images service within the district.

“After careful consideration, the district has made the decision to no longer utilize Lifetouch for student photographs,” a message from the district, despatched to folks, mentioned. “This decision follows growing concerns that have been expressed publicly and through media outlets. While no immediate operational issues have impacted our schools, we believe it is in the best interest of our students, families and community to move in a different direction.”

The district mentioned it’s reviewing alternate suppliers for scholar images.

Lifetouch, headquartered in Minnesota and with amenities in Ohio, has been dropped by quite a few faculty districts throughout the nation, following the discharge of information linked to the late fancier and intercourse offender Jeffery Epstein.

While the corporate Lifetouch or faculty pictures usually are not named within the information, as many social media posts erroneously reported, Leon Black the previous CEO of its dad or mum firm, Apollo Global Management, a non-public fairness agency, was proven within the Epstein information to have had conferences organized with Epstein between 2010 and 2017, after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, however earlier than his 2019 indictment for intercourse trafficking. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 whereas awaiting trial.

Black was additionally named in an electronic mail thread between FBI staff which states Black was accused by victims within the case.

Black, who left Apollo Global Management attributable to issues about his ties to Epstein, has not been charged.
Apollo purchased Shutterfly, the dad or mum firm of Lifetouch, in 2019. Lifetouch launched a press release regarding the matter, stating Black by no means had entry to any of their images.

“No Lifetouch executives have ever had any relationship or contact with Epstein and we have never shared student images with any third party, including Apollo,” the assertion learn. “Apollo and its funds also have no role in Lifetouch’s daily operations and have no access to student images.”

School districts in a number of states have lower ties with Lifetouch, or allowed mother and father to have kids to choose out of pictures.

Greenup Local Schools in Kentucky introduced Friday they’re ending their relationship with Lifetouch and won’t have spring pictures this 12 months. Graduation pictures will happen as a trial partnership with a brand new service supplier they choose.

The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation initially dropped the corporate, although, this week, KEDC mentioned said that they’re reinstating their partnership with Lifetouch, following an investigation.

“Our investigation determined that the historical associations referenced were tied to past investment relationships that are no longer active or connected to present day operations,” KEDC mentioned in a press release.