Records Show Commerce Secretary Lutnick Signed Deals With Epstein
Records show U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signed an Adfin agreement with Jeffrey Epstein on Dec. 28, 2012 and maintained contact through 2014.
Overview
Records released by the Justice Department show U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signed an agreement on Dec. 28, 2012 to acquire a stake in Adfin alongside Jeffrey Epstein, contradicting his prior public denials.
The documents matter because Lutnick, who served as chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has said he cut ties in 2005, and he told Pod Force One in 2023, “I spent zero time with him,” records and comments show.
A Department of Commerce spokesperson defended Lutnick as the releases prompted scrutiny, saying the reporting distracted from administration achievements, while a source close to Lutnick said Cantor Fitzgerald was a minority investor in Adfin.
The Adfin contract lists nine shareholders and shows Epstein signed for Southern Trust Company while Lutnick signed for CVAFH I, and related correspondence continued at least through 2014, according to the released files.
The Justice Department released the files last week, and the disclosures have prompted renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network, although no formal investigation into Lutnick was reported as of the release, according to news reports.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the coverage as a credibility challenge to Lutnick by juxtaposing his denials with documentary evidence of business ties and ongoing contact. Editorial choices—chronological sequencing, emphasis on signed contracts, planned island visits, emails arranging meetings, and inclusion of PR rebuttals—lead readers toward an inference of prolonged association while keeping direct quotes as source content.
Sources (3)
FAQ
On Dec. 28, 2012, Lutnick signed for CVAFH I and Epstein for Southern Trust Company to acquire stakes in Adfin, a now-shuttered advertising technology company, with nine shareholders listed.
Lutnick claimed he cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after seeing a massage table in his home, describing him as 'disgusting' and stating he spent 'zero time with him' in a 2023 podcast.
Yes, in December 2012, Lutnick, his wife, and children visited Epstein's Little St. James island for lunch; an email from Epstein's assistant on Dec. 24 said 'Nice seeing you.'
Contacts continued through 2014 with Adfin correspondence, a 2015 fundraiser invitation, 2017 charity donation and construction discussions, and 2018 emails about a museum expansion near their homes.
No formal investigation into Lutnick has been reported as of the document release.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.