Simon Andriesz, a former Wall Street executive, said he uncovered emails showing that Howard Lutnick, the US commerce secretary, had undisclosed business dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.

Andriesz said the emails were found among 3.5 million documents released as part of the Epstein files.

They indicate that Lutnick and Epstein discussed a digital advertising company called Adfin, in which both had invested.

Lutnick told the House Oversight Committee in May that he only learned this year that Epstein was a co‑investor and that he had met Epstein once in 2005, condemning Epstein's conduct.

The Commerce Department said there is no evidence of wrongdoing and characterized the allegations as a partisan distraction.

Andriesz previously reported accounting irregularities at BGC Partners, a firm linked to Lutnick's Cantor Fitzgerald, which led to a $3 million penalty from a US derivatives regulator.

He told the FBI about his concerns in 2020‑21.

In 2013, documents show Cantor Fitzgerald explored a plan to provide a £1 million loan to a company controlled by Prince Andrew, exploiting contacts the former royal trade envoy had made.

Epstein warned against the exclusivity of that arrangement.

The House Oversight Committee's 21 Democrats signed a letter urging Lutnick's resignation, alleging deception.

Lutnick's office said the BBC report would not alter his record of service.

The revelations add to scrutiny of Lutnick's financial ties as he serves in the commerce department, and the matter remains unresolved.