Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to Testify in House Epstein Probe Next Month
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee on May 6 regarding his past association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple media reports. The voluntary transcribed interview comes as part of an ongoing congressional investigation into Epstein's ties to wealthy and influential figures.
Voluntary Cooperation and Committee Announcement
Kentucky Republican Representative James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, announced on March 3 that Lutnick had proactively agreed to appear voluntarily. Comer praised Lutnick's demonstrated commitment to transparency, though no specific date was provided at that time. Sources close to the committee have since confirmed the May 6 date to CNN and other outlets.
Lutnick has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, who died in a New York City jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. However, the commerce secretary has faced persistent questions about his past interactions with the disgraced financier.
Past Associations and Controversial Encounters
In an October interview with Pod Force One presenter Miranda Devine, Lutnick revealed he had been a neighbor of Epstein's in New York and visited his brownstone in 2005. During that visit, Epstein made what Lutnick described as a creepy comment about receiving the right kind of massages, prompting the future commerce secretary to vow never to be in the same room with Epstein again.
However, the release of Epstein files by the Department of Justice in late December and January revealed that the two men maintained contact after that 2005 encounter. Lutnick subsequently admitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 10 that he and his family had lunch with Epstein on Little St James, the financier's private Caribbean island, in December 2012.
Political Fallout and Criticism
This admission occurred more than four years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting an underage girl for prostitution in Florida state court, for which he served 13 months in prison. The revelation prompted criticism from Republican representatives Thomas Massie and Nancy Mace, with Massie urging Lutnick to resign and Mace stating she would never sit down for lunch with a convicted pedophile.
Lutnick's name was also included in a spoof Walk of Shame installation in Washington, D.C., last month, which featured pavement stars for prominent individuals embarrassed by their past connections to Epstein.
Broader Investigation Context
The House Oversight Committee has already heard testimony from Bill and Hillary Clinton as part of its investigation into Epstein's network. Both Clintons stated they had done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. The committee has also interviewed two former Epstein employees.
Additionally, the committee issued a subpoena on March 17 to outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding her deposition on April 14 regarding the Department of Justice's handling of Epstein files. Despite being fired by President Donald Trump last Thursday, Bondi is still expected to honor this commitment.
The upcoming testimony represents a significant development in the ongoing congressional examination of Epstein's extensive connections within American power structures, with Lutnick's voluntary appearance highlighting the continued scrutiny facing public figures linked to the disgraced financier.
