Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick deliberate a go to to the late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein’s non-public island in 2012, based on documents released by the Department of Justice on Friday. The deliberate go to would have come years after Epstein plead responsible to 2 prostitution-related costs in 2008, together with with a minor.
In December 2012, Lutnick emailed a redacted electronic mail tackle saying he can be within the Caribbean with a big group, together with household and buddies, based on the paperwork reviewed by ABC Information. Lutnick requested, “Does Sunday night for dinner sound good?”
Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, responded someday later saying, “beneath from Jeffrey: come sat or sunday lunch? little st James on the map, behind Christmas cove.”
Lutnick quickly responded, “Okay, lunch on Sunday. See you then.”
Extra electronic mail communications launched in Friday’s information present Lutnick’s spouse, Allison, coordinating additional with Epstein’s assistant for the go to.
On Dec. 21. 2012, Allison emailed Groff saying, “We’re wanting ahead to visiting you” and describing the massive group they had been touring with, saying “We’d love to hitch you for lunch.”
Commerce Minister Howard Lutnick walks down the steps after a gathering in the course of the Annual Assembly of the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21, 2026.
Markus Schreiber/AP
“Would 1 or 1:30pm for lunch work?,” the word added.
Epstein’s assistant responded, “Jeffrey says 1:30 arrival shall be nice!”
Two days later, on Dec. 23, Allison wrote once more, saying, “We’re heading in the direction of you from St. Thomas. The place ought to we anchor precisely?”
At some point later, on Dec. 24, Lutnick acquired an electronic mail from Epstein’s assistant that stated, “Jeffrey wished me to go alongside the beneath to you: Good seeing you.”
Lutnick spoke publicly about Epstein in October 2025, calling him “the best blackmailer ever.” In that interview, Lutnick additional described Epstein as “gross.”
“I say to him, ‘Therapeutic massage desk in the course of your home? How typically do you might have a therapeutic massage?'” Lutnick stated. “And he says, ‘Each day.'”
Lutnick, Epstein’s former neighbor, stated he believes Epstein may have traded alleged blackmail videos for a lesser jail sentence within the so-called “sweetheart deal” he acquired throughout his first legal case on state costs in 2008.
A spokesperson for the Division of Commerce responded to ABC Information Friday, saying the now-secretary had “restricted interactions with Mr. Epstein within the presence of his spouse and has by no means been accused of wrongdoing.”
Eating with the Duke
Shortly after ending his transient stint within the Florida penal system in 2010, Epstein celebrated his freedom by taking part in matchmaker for a good friend — one who seems to be the then-Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, based on paperwork included in DOJ’s launch Friday.
“I’ve a good friend who i believe you would possibly get pleasure from having dinner with,” Epstein wrote in an electronic mail to a contact listed because the “The Duke” on the night of Aug. 11, 2010. Epstein offered her identify and added “she shall be london [sic] 20-24.”
“In fact. I’m in Geneva till the morning of twenty second however can be delighted to see her,” Andrew responded. “Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact particulars to get in contact.” The reply indicators off as “A, HRH The Duke of York KG.”
Epstein offered her electronic mail, to which Andrew responded, “Nice. Another data you would possibly find out about her that could be helpful to know? Like what have you ever advised her about me and have you ever given her my electronic mail as nicely?”
“She’s 26, Russian, clevere [sic] stunning, reliable and sure she has your electronic mail,” Epstein assured.
A couple of hours later, on Aug. 12, the Duke of York emailed: “That was fast! How are you? Good to be free?”
Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the normal Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Fort, April 20, 2025, in Windsor, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Pictures)
Epstein had simply concluded a 13-month jail sentence and work launch — the results of a 2008 plea cut price with federal prosecutors in Florida.
In {a partially} redacted reply, Epstein stated, “.. nice to be freed from many issues.”
The pair gave the impression to be in common correspondence within the continuing weeks, with each expressing a need to see one another, whether or not in London or Paris or elsewhere, based on the paperwork.
In late September, Epstein wrote he was “already in london” and requested “what time woudl [sic] you want me and [redacted],” including “we may also want/have non-public time.”
Andrew replied he was “simply departing Scotland must be down by [6pm]” after which he’d name — providing considered one of his homes for his or her night.
“Alternatively we might have dinner at Buckingham Palace and plenty of privateness,” Andrew stated.
“bp please,” Epstein answered.
“What time and what number of?” Andrew requested. Epstein replied, “I would like non-public time with you, nevertheless i’m right here with [redacted], ought to i convey all of them. in order so as to add some life.”
One afternoon two days later, Andrew once more invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace, after he had wrapped a “lunch with Saudi Prince after which out to secret intelligence agency.”
“Delighted so that you can come right here to BP,” Andrew stated.
The now-ex prince has denied any wrongdoing with respect to Maxwell and Epstein. Nevertheless, amid fallout from his lengthy working relationship with the convicted intercourse offender, he was stripped of his titles in October and moved out of his royal residence.
ABC Information has reached out to a consultant for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for remark.
