In brief
Simon Andriesz, a former Wall‑Street MD, sifted through 3.5 million pages of documents released from the Jeffrey Epstein files and found emails between Howard Lutnick—now US commerce secretary—and Epstein about a startup venture. His discovery led to testimony before the House Oversight Committee, where Lutnick denied any knowledge before 2025. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of powerful figures and raises questions about disclosure and accountability. Although the Commerce Department and BGC say there is no evidence of wrongdoing, the leaks reignite debate over links between high‑profile officials and Epstein’s network.
A British man who once worked as a managing director on Wall Street has cracked a decades‑old mystery, finding emails that may connect the US Commerce Minister to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations came from an online hunt of 3.5 million documents released by the US government, a dig that turned up a 2018 email chain discussing a start‑up investment shared by both Lutnick and Epstein.
Simon Andriesz told the BBC that he was stunned when his name showed up in the files, but he focused on the Gregory‑Gabe chain. The emails reveal Epstein reached out to Howard Lutnick about a digital advertising firm called Adfin, later added to both men’s portfolios. That alone sparked a congressional review, with Andriesz forwarding the evidence to the House Oversight Committee before Lutnick’s scheduled appearance in May.
Lutnick insists he was unaware of the investment until 2025, and the Commerce Department has stated there is no proof of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the investigation shines a light on how top officials may overlook or hide connections to Epstein’s network. The case also exposes the difficulty of tracking covert ties when corporate emails use initials or obfuscating language.
The fallout extends beyond Lutnick. Andriesz’s own past includes a lawsuit against BGC Partners, a firm linked to Ethan’s investment. He claims the company failed to protect whistleblowers and that his revelations never received the attention they deserve. While the US regulator awarded him $420 k, critics argue the focus should be on ensuring accountability for high‑profile officials implicated in Epstein‑led scandals.
