Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick - a former neighbor and pal of Jeffrey Epstein who emailed the sex offender about visiting his Caribbean island (and then said it was 'nice to see him' in a subsequent email) - will provide closed-door testimony today in front of the US House committee investigating the Epstein's crimes and possible lapses in the law enforcement response.

While Lutnick initially claimed he barely knew Epstein (like everybody else), emails and other documents released earlier this year by the DOJ reveals he's full of shit. 

About That Trip

As we noted in February, the trip, planned in 2012, came years after Lutnick claimed he cut all ties with the pedophile. Yet in December of that year, Lutnick sent an email to Epstein saying that he had a group of people, including his wife and children and another family, who were visiting the Caribbean - and inquired as to where Epstein was located and whether they could visit for a meal.

Epstein, replying through an assistant, set up a lunch gathering. 

When reached for comment, Lutnick told the NY Times "I spent zero time with him," before hanging up. 

The documents suggest the visit did occur. The gathering was set for Dec. 23, 2012. A day later, an assistant to Mr. Epstein forwarded Mr. Lutnick a message from Mr. Epstein: "Nice seeing you," it said.

In a podcast interview last year, Mr. Lutnick claimed that around 2005, he and his wife had been so revolted by Mr. Epstein that they decided not to associate with him again.

Mr. Lutnick said in the interview that Mr. Epstein invited them to tour his Upper East Side mansion, next door to Mr. Lutnick's own home. When they noticed a massage table in the middle of a room, Mr. Lutnick recalled, Mr. Epstein explained that he received "the right kind of massage" every day. Mr. Lutnick said that he and his wife quickly left and decided to "never be in a room with that disgusting person ever again."

Except, that was complete bullshit of course.  

Lutnick's connection to Epstein isn't a huge surprise after a 2019 Crain's investigation found that sex offender had significant links to the property next to his infamous Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street. 

Crain's investigation found that Epstein's history at the address is entangled with the adjacent property, 11 E. 71st St., now home to billionaire Howard Lutnick—as well as with 301 E. 66th St., a building belonging to Epstein's brother.