U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had planned a trip to disgraced financier Epstein's private island and had been in contact with the sex offender for much longer than he previously claimed, according to documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday local time.
In a December 2012 email, Lutnick asked Epstein if it was possible for his family and another family to visit his island during a trip to the Caribbean.
"Where are you (exact position for my captain)?" Lutnick, then CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, wrote in the message. "How about Sunday dinner?"
Subsequent messages showed that they agreed to meet for lunch on December 23, 2012; the next day, Lutnick sent Epstein an email saying he was pleased to meet him but did not specify where the meeting would take place.
The documents do not suggest any wrongdoing but do show that Lutnick mischaracterized the extent of his relationship with Epstein.
The White House has not yet responded to the matter.