Lutnick Admits Travel to Epstein Island, Downplays Relationship

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a Senate hearing in Washington on Feb. 10.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick minimized his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Tuesday even as he acknowledged visiting the disgraced financier at his private island in 2012 after Epstein was a convicted sex offender — and years later than he previously said their relationship ended.

Lutnick, speaking to a Senate panel, described going to Epstein’s island after being asked in Tuesday’s hearing about Justice Department documents showing he had planned a visit.