US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick told lawmakers in a closed-door interview earlier this month that he met Jeffrey Epstein only three times and had no personal or professional relationship with the disgraced financier, according to a newly released transcript.
Appearing before the House oversight and reform committee, Lutnick said the first meeting occurred in 2005 when he and his wife were invited for coffee at Epstein's home. The second was in 2011 to discuss scaffolding, and the third in 2012 when Epstein invited Lutnick, his family and friends for lunch on his private island. Lutnick described each encounter as 'meaningless and inconsequential'.
Democratic lawmakers challenged Lutnick's statements, noting that he had previously claimed on a podcast that he and his wife severed ties with Epstein after 2005. However, documents released by the justice department showed Lutnick continued correspondence with Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
During the interview, Lutnick recounted the 2005 visit in detail, saying Epstein showed him and his wife a massage table in his townhouse. When Lutnick asked about it, Epstein replied he received 'the right kind of massage' every day, which Lutnick interpreted as sexual in nature. Lutnick said he and his wife then left and decided not to have any further relationship.
Lutnick defended his podcast comments, arguing that he meant he personally would not put himself in a room with Epstein socially, professionally or philanthropically. He described the 2012 island lunch as a brief gathering of about 15 or 16 people, including family and friends, and said it was inconsequential.
