Epad runs the La Defense business district in Paris, and Jean Sarkozy, who is currently a councillor for the wealthy district of Neuilly, said that he is still seeking a place on the board.
Thousands signed an petition on the Internet thyat called for him to pull out of his bid for the Epad job.
Speaking on French television he claimed that he had been the victim of a campaign of "manipulation and disinformation" against him.
65-year-old Patrick Devedjian, who is the current head of Epad, is leaving because he has reached the age for retirement.
23-year-old Jean Sarkozy leads the right-wing majority regional council of Hauts-de-Seine.
