Точка Синхронізації

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended his prior relationship with Jeffrey Epstein following the release of Justice Department files in early 2024 that suggest a deeper connection than the Cabinet official had previously acknowledged. The documents, which include flight logs and personal records, reveal that Lutnick and his family visited Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a location central to the late financier's history of sex trafficking. Lutnick addressed the revelations by characterizing the visit as a family trip taken under the impression that Epstein was a successful, legitimate financier, a common sentiment among high-profile business figures before Epstein's criminal activities became public knowledge. The newly unsealed files have reignited scrutiny over the social circles inhabited by Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. For Lutnick, who was confirmed as Commerce Secretary after a prominent career as the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, the records challenge his earlier assertions regarding the brevity and professional nature of their acquaintance. The disclosure indicates that the interactions were not merely casual encounters at industry events but included personal travel, raising questions about the vetting process for high-level government appointments and the enduring legacy of Epstein’s influence across Wall Street. In response to the mounting pressure, Lutnick’s representatives emphasized that the Secretary had no knowledge of Epstein’s illicit behavior at the time of their interactions. They argued that the visit took place more than two decades ago, long before the first criminal allegations against Epstein surfaced in Florida. Despite these explanations, critics and legal analysts suggest that the release of Department of Justice files continues to place a spotlight on public officials, demanding a higher degree of transparency regarding their past associations with the disgraced financier. This development adds to the broader ongoing effort to document the full scope of Epstein's network through judicial and legislative channels.