Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick deliberate a go to to the late intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein’s non-public island in 2012, in line with 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 deal with saying he could be within the Caribbean with a big group, together with household and pals, in line with the paperwork reviewed by ABC Information. Lutnick requested, “Does Sunday night for dinner sound good?”
Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, responded in the future 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 trying ahead to visiting you” and describing the massive group they had been touring with, saying “We might love to affix you for lunch.”
Commerce Minister Howard Lutnick walks down the steps after a gathering throughout 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 will probably be nice!”
Two days later, on Dec. 23, Allison wrote once more, saying, “We’re heading in direction of you from St. Thomas. The place ought to we anchor precisely?”
At some point later, on Dec. 24, Lutnick obtained an electronic mail from Epstein’s assistant that stated, “Jeffrey wished me to cross 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 midst of your home? How typically do you could have a therapeutic massage?'” Lutnick stated. “And he says, ‘Day-after-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 obtained throughout his first prison 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, in line with paperwork included in DOJ’s launch Friday.
“I’ve a good friend who i believe you may take pleasure in 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 supplied her identify and added “she will probably be london [sic] 20-24.”
“After all. I’m in Geneva till the morning of twenty second however could 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 supplied her electronic mail, to which Andrew responded, “Nice. Every other info you may find out about her that may 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.
Just a few 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 discount with federal prosecutors in Florida.
In {a partially} redacted reply, Epstein stated, “.. nice to be freed from many issues.”
The pair seemed 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, in line with 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 can even want/have non-public time.”
Andrew replied he was “simply departing Scotland needs to be down by [6pm]” after which he’d name — providing one among his homes for his or her night.
“Alternatively we may have dinner at Buckingham Palace and many privateness,” Andrew stated.
“bp please,” Epstein answered.
“What time and what number of?” Andrew requested. Epstein replied, “I need 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.
