In brief
Emails disclosed by the US Department of Justice show that Howard Lutnick, the US Commerce Department Secretary, planned a trip to Jeffrey Epstein's Little Saint James island in 2012, despite having claimed to cut ties with the convicted sex offender in 2005. The communications involve plans for Lutnick and his family to visit Epstein, raising questions about his earlier statements and transparency related to the late financier.
US Commerce Department Secretary Howard Lutnick planned a visit to Jeffrey Epstein's island with his family, emails show - years after Lutnick claimed to have cut ties with the convicted paedophile.
The billionaire businessman, his wife, their four children, and another family were set to travel to Little Saint James in 2012, according to emails included in the latest Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
The emails contradict statements Lutnick made in October about vowing in 2005 to 'never be in a room' with Epstein again.
A Commerce Department spokesperson clarified that Lutnick has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein.
On Friday, the justice department released millions of pages from the Epstein files, marking the largest number of documents shared by the government since a law mandated their release last year.
Several emails show Lutnick and his family had arranged to visit Little Saint James - a private island that Epstein purchased in 1998.
In one email from December 2012, Lutnick's wife Allison wrote to Epstein's assistant: 'We are looking forward to visiting you. We will be coming from Caneel Bay in the morning. We are a crowd... 2 families each with 4 kids ranging in age from 7-16! 6 boys and 2 girls. I hope that's okay. We would love to join you for lunch.'
In another email, sent days before his wife's correspondence, Lutnick inquires about specific details for their arrival.
On 24 December 2012, Lutnick received a message suggesting past meetings with Epstein, further complicating his previous statements regarding their relationship.
As Lutnick maintains he had limited interactions with Epstein in the past and denies any wrongdoing, the documents raise renewed scrutiny on his past denials and connections to the disgraced financier.
Following these revelations, the Epstein files have opened a wide array of discussions concerning the networks of high-profile individuals associated with Epstein, underlining the need for continued transparency in such matters.
