Commerce Secretary Acknowledges 2012 Visit to Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island During Senate Hearing
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress Tuesday that he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2012 for an hour during a family vacation. Lutnick admitted after being questioned by the Senate Appropriations Committee about his past interactions with the convicted sex offender.
Lutnick testified that he went to Little Saint James, often known as “Epstein Island,” with his wife, four children, and nannies. The visit included another spouse and their children, he said. Lutnick and his family were vacationing on boat when the stop occurred.
“I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,” Lutnick told senators. We ate lunch on the island. Indeed. For an hour.” He continued, “We left with all of my children, and with my nannies and my wife all together.”
Lutnick stated he forgot why he visited the island. He denied seeing anything untoward on the 2012 trip. Lutnick told Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen that he only saw island staff.
New investigation of Epstein’s network and associations revived the issue. Financer Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution and soliciting from a juvenile in federal court. He committed suicide in 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City while awaiting trial on further federal sex trafficking allegations.
Sen. Van Hollen presented publicly released records demonstrating Lutnick and Epstein’s decade-long conversations throughout the session. The two individuals communicated for at least 13 years, according to January 30 U.S. Department of Justice filings. Some communications showed 2011-2012 meeting plans. Epstein requested a meeting with Lutnick’s nanny in 2013.
Lawmakers questioned how those interactions fit with Lutnick’s 2005 declaration that he and his wife had decided to never see Epstein again after visiting his townhouse. At the hearing, Van Hollen told Lutnick that documents showed continuous interaction following Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
“You made a very big point of saying you sensed that this was a bad person in 2005,” Van Hollen said, referring to Epstein’s conviction. “And yet you had this trip and other interactions.”
Lutnick claimed the 2012 island excursion was a casual lunch and that no misbehavior occurred. Insisted that his family was with him and that the visit was not “untoward”
The White House addressed it before the hearing. A spokesman stated Monday that President Donald Trump had “the best and most transformative Cabinet in modern history.” The statement noted that Secretary Lutnick and the Department of Commerce are committed to serving the American public.
As senators analyze Epstein’s activity and connections, the Senate hearing examined Lutnick’s historical associations. Lutnick admitted the 2012 visit but denied misconduct and said he did not see any questionable behavior.
The evidence underlines the continuous political and public scrutiny of Epstein’s associates, whose criminal backgrounds and networks have been the subject of various federal investigations and document releases.
Sources:
U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
U.S. Department of Justice
The White House
