US Commerce Secretary admits meeting Epstein on private island

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has sought to distance himself from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein amid calls for his resignation following the release of new documents detailing their interactions.

He told lawmakers the two men exchanged only about ten emails and met three times over 14 years, including a lunch on Epstein’s private island, which he said occurred while his family was present, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Testifying before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, Lutnick said he "barely had anything to do with" Epstein.

"I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person," Lutnick told the committee under questioning from Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

The new files, published by the U.S. Justice Department in January, include emails suggesting Lutnick visited Epstein’s island years after he previously said he had cut ties with the financier. In addition, the documents show Epstein’s assistant forwarded him an invitation in 2015 to a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Lutnick, who previously claimed he vowed never to "be in a room" with Epstein following a 2005 incident, defended himself, saying: "I know and my wife knows that I have done absolutely nothing wrong in any possible regard."

The hearing follows broader scrutiny of Epstein’s connections to prominent figures in politics, business, and entertainment, including U.S. President Donald Trump. The session also came a day after Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell refused to answer questions at a deposition before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, drawing criticism from both parties.

By Aghakazim Guliyev