Lutnick, Goldman Sachs’ lawyer to testify on Epstein
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and outgoing Goldman Sachs top lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler will testify before the US House Oversight Committee about their past ties to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Ruemmler resigned over his connections to the late sex offender after documents released by the US Department of Justice showed he accepted gifts from Epstein and advised him of media investigations into his crimes.
“Ruemmler welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee,” spokeswoman Jennifer Connelly said in a statement.
“He did nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity.”
Connelly added that Ruemmler was a criminal defense attorney and shared a client with him at the time of his interaction with Epstein.
Lutnick also agreed to be investigated for his ties to Epstein.
“Secretary Lutnick proactively agreed to voluntarily appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. I appreciate his commitment to transparency and appreciate his willingness to engage with the committee,” Rep. James Comer, the panel’s chairman, said in a statement on X on Tuesday.
In January, the Justice Department released millions of new files related to Epstein, including emails showing that Lutnick visited Epstein’s “private Caribbean island” for lunch after claiming to have cut ties.
Lutnick, who was appointed to the post by President Donald Trump last year, now faces calls to resign from both Democrats and Republicans.
“I look forward to appearing before the committee. I did nothing wrong and I want to make amends,” Axios quoted Lutnick as saying.
Lutnick told lawmakers last month that he had “almost nothing to do” with Epstein.
The two men exchanged only about 10 emails over 14 years and met three times, Lutnick said. Lutnick said the lunch with Epstein occurred only because he was on a boat near the island and his family was present for lunch.
Lutnick is one of several powerful men in politics, business and entertainment, including Trump himself, who have come under fire for their ties to Epstein.
Lutnick is also in hot water over apparent contradictions between the newly released documents and Lutnick’s previous remarks about Epstein, who lived next door to him in New York while he was CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.
A judge early Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a deal for Epstein’s estate to make a multi-million dollar payment to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing two of the disgraced financier’s advisers of aiding and abetting the sex trafficking of young women and girls.
Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing Epstein victims, announced the $US35 million ($50 million) settlement on Feb. 19.
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