"The commerce secretary told senators Tuesday that he and his family actually had lunch with Epstein on his private island in 2012 and he had another hour-long engagement at Epstein's home in 2011. Lutnick, a member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet, is the highest-profile U.S. official to face bipartisan calls for his resignation amid revelations of his ties to Epstein. His acknowledgement comes as lawmakers are grasping for what accountability looks like amid the revelations contained in what's known as the Epstein files."
"But Lutnick is facing growing scrutiny, including calls for his resignation, from lawmakers after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted Lutnick's claims on a podcast last year that he had decided to 'never be in the room' with Epstein again after a 2005 tour of Epstein's home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife."
"Lutnick again downplayed his relationship with the disgraced financier who was once his neighbor in New York City as he was questioned by Democrats during a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He described their contact as a handful of emails and a pair of meetings that were years apart."
Lutnick acknowledged meetings and contact with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction, reversing an earlier claim that ties had ended after 2005. The contacts included an hour-long engagement at Epstein's home in 2011 and a family lunch on Epstein's private island in 2012. Lutnick characterized their interactions as a handful of emails and a pair of meetings years apart and downplayed the relationship. Release of Epstein case files contradicted Lutnick's prior statements and prompted growing scrutiny and bipartisan calls for resignation. Senators are investigating Lutnick's ties amid broader questions about accountability following revelations in the Epstein files.
Read at Fast Company
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