2018 emails from the released Epstein files show Howard Lutnick discussing Adfin's prospects directly with Jeffrey Epstein, evidence whistleblower Simon Andriesz says contradicts Lutnick's claim he learned only this year that Epstein had invested.
3.5 million released documents led Andriesz to search for Lutnick's initials rather than his name; he then passed the findings to the House Oversight Committee before Lutnick's May appearance.
21 House Oversight Democrats later accused Lutnick of lying and demanded his resignation, while the Commerce Department said there was no evidence of wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations as partisan.
2013 documents also show Cantor Fitzgerald explored a £1 million deal with then-Prince Andrew that Andriesz said aimed to commercially exploit the prince's contacts, though the talks ultimately collapsed.
The disclosures add to scrutiny of Lutnick, appointed commerce secretary in 2025, after earlier Epstein-file material placed him on Epstein's island in 2012 despite his public claim he had met Epstein only once.