Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick donated $5 million to a super PAC supporting House Republicans about a month before lawmakers interviewed him about his ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report.
The donation to the Congressional Leadership Fund on April 1 made Lutnick the first known member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to make a disclosed seven-figure federal donation after Senate confirmation, The New York Times reported.
Lutnick sat for the interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 6, having agreed to it in early March. A Commerce Department spokesperson said the donation was made in Lutnick’s personal capacity, noting that cabinet secretaries from both parties have done so in the past.
During the interview, Lutnick was questioned about his interactions with Epstein, including a 2012 lunch on Epstein’s private island. Lutnick said he did not remember Epstein being a registered sex offender at the time, adding that he had only interacted with Epstein three times and had done nothing wrong.
The Independent has sought comment from the Congressional Leadership Fund and the House Oversight Committee.
