Lutnick and Epstein's Business Ties Exposed in Newly Released Documents
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's assertion of "limited interactions" with Jeffrey Epstein stands in stark contrast to newly uncovered documents that reveal their business dealings as recently as 2014.
On December 28, 2012, both Lutnick and Epstein signed contracts on behalf of their respective limited liability companies to acquire stakes in Adfin, a now-defunct advertising technology firm. The signatures of both men appear on adjacent pages of the contract, with Epstein representing Southern Trust Company, Inc. and Lutnick signing for CVAFH I.
Despite Lutnick's claims of severing ties with Epstein in 2005 after a disconcerting visit to Epstein's New York townhouse, emails indicate that their communication persisted. In October, Lutnick recounted to a publication that he vowed never to be in the same room as Epstein again, describing him as "disgusting."
However, correspondence from 2011 reveals they arranged calls and even planned social gatherings. Notably, in 2013, Lutnick and his family were invited to Epstein's private island, Little St. James, with an invitation for lunch on December 24, just days before their Adfin deal was finalized.
A source familiar with Lutnick's dealings stated that Cantor Fitzgerald, where Lutnick served as chairman, was merely a minority investor in Adfin and that he would not have been privy to the identities of other investors at the time.
On January 8, 2013, Epstein's assistant forwarded a document regarding casino legislation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Lutnick, who reportedly ignored it. A spokesperson for Lutnick emphasized that he had limited interactions with Epstein and has never faced allegations of wrongdoing.
Correspondence related to Adfin persisted until at least 2014, when shareholder David Mitchell reached out to Epstein about further fundraising efforts involving Cantor Ventures, a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald.
Interestingly, Lutnick purchased a property from Comet Trust in 1998 that had previously belonged to Epstein, placing him next door to the financier's New York City mansion.
By the time Lutnick and Epstein entered into the Adfin agreement, Epstein had already pleaded guilty to state charges related to sex trafficking in Florida. It wasn't until 2019 that he faced federal charges before his death in custody shortly after his arrest.
The release of these documents has prompted Lutnick to navigate a complex web of relationships with Epstein, as many powerful figures have sought to distance themselves from the financier while facing scrutiny over their past associations.
In a bid to manage public perception, emails from 2017 show Epstein pledged $50,000 to a dinner honoring Lutnick, expressing concern over public relations implications. He opted not to take a table reserved for high-level donors, suggesting Lutnick could fill those seats instead.
Their interactions continued into 2018 when Lutnick reached out to Epstein regarding potential renovations at the neighboring Frick Collection art museum, warning that it might obstruct Epstein's views.
"You should put in a letter. I'm sending a lawyer. Don't ignore this," Lutnick advised Epstein in an email.
