British Whistleblower Reveals How He Found Alleged Links Between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein Files
Washington: A British whistleblower has revealed how he uncovered documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files that raised questions about US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s past business connections with the convicted sex offender and financier.
Simon Andriesz, a former managing director at Wall Street firm BGC Partners, told the BBC that he found email exchanges from 2018 showing discussions between Lutnick and Epstein over a start-up company in which both had financial interests.
Andriesz discovered the information while searching through millions of documents released as part of the Epstein files. He later shared his findings with members of the US House Oversight Committee before Lutnick appeared before the panel in May.
Lutnick, who was appointed US Commerce Secretary by President Donald Trump in 2025, told lawmakers that he was not aware until recently that Epstein was an investor in the company. His department has denied any wrongdoing, saying there is no evidence of improper conduct.
The documents examined by Andriesz included emails related to Adfin, a digital advertising company backed by both Epstein and Lutnick’s firm, Cantor Fitzgerald. The emails showed discussions about the company’s future prospects between Epstein and an account linked to Lutnick.
The findings also highlighted a separate 2013 proposal involving Cantor Fitzgerald, former Prince Andrew and business opportunities connected to his network of wealthy contacts. The plan reportedly involved a £1 million loan arrangement, but the deal was never completed.
Andriesz said he was surprised to find his own name among the Epstein documents. He had previously raised concerns about accounting practices at BGC Partners and later provided information to the FBI regarding his allegations.
His claims eventually contributed to regulatory action against BGC, which was fined $3 million by US authorities for supervision, reporting and record-keeping violations. However, BGC has denied Andriesz’s allegations, calling them false and saying investigations did not confirm his claims.
The whistleblower said he had tried to highlight the alleged business links between Lutnick and Epstein but felt his concerns received little attention.
The release of Epstein-related documents also brought renewed scrutiny over Lutnick’s past statements. Lutnick had previously said he met Epstein only once, but documents included a 2012 photograph showing the two together on Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St James.
Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. During his congressional appearance, he condemned Epstein’s crimes and said victims deserved respect and support.
The US Commerce Department dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, saying there was no evidence of misconduct by Lutnick.
Meanwhile, Andriesz continues to seek accountability over his whistleblower claims, saying the legal battles of the past decade have affected his career, finances and personal life.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets
