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10 - PEOPLE/(A-G)/Bill Bailey.md
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@ -40,12 +40,12 @@ relations:
with: "[[Business Council of Alabama]]"
start: "2026"
role: "listed member of the 2026 board of directors"
fn: 17
fn: 24
- type: member_of
with: "[[Tuberville for Senate]]"
start: "2026-02-11"
role: "member of the campaign finance committee announced the week of February 12, 2026"
fn: 18
fn: 25
- type: subject_of
with: "[[Berry v. Bailey]]"
start: "2024-04-25"
@ -64,23 +64,29 @@ relations:
end: "2026-04-27"
role: "eight itemized contributions totaling $115,000"
fn: 6
- type: funded
with: "[[Mike Rogers Victory]]"
start: 2023-10-10
role: "$1,000 listed under William C. Bailey, occupation CEO, employer Radiance Technologies, on the committee's year-end 2023 report (image 202401299600583863)"
fn: 23
created: 2026-10-04
updated: 2026-10-04
---
### Identity
William C. Bailey Jr. is the chief executive officer of [[Radiance Technologies]] of [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. The company's own biography names him "William C. Bailey, Jr.", states that he joined Radiance in 2001, and gives his background as fourteen years of military service as "a B-52 aircraft maintenance technician and as a Research and Development Engineer at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and the Phillips Laboratory, now the Air Force Research Laboratory." It lists a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from [[Louisiana Tech University]].[^1] The [[Alabama Secretary of State]] record for Radiance lists "William C Bailey" among the five directors entered with the corporation's restated articles on May 19, 2014.[^2] The defendant named "William C. Bailey" in the 2024 suit Berry v. Bailey is described in the pleadings as chief executive officer of Radiance and a member of its board; the identity of the defendant, the company officer and the October 2024 vice chairman of [[Radiance Ignite Technologies]] rests on the same name and office.[^3][^4]
A William Bailey who directs the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (a Notre Dame graduate and test pilot) is a different person.[^5] A William C. Bailey III appears in FEC records with occupations unrelated to the chief executive's; those rows are excluded from the donation figures below.[^6]
A William Bailey who directs the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (a Notre Dame graduate and test pilot) is a different person.[^5] A William C. Bailey III appears in [[Federal Election Commission|FEC]] records with occupations unrelated to the chief executive's; those rows are excluded from the donation figures below.[^6]
### Air Force service and early industry career
The company biography gives the military portion as fourteen years that began in B-52 maintenance and moved to research and development engineering at the [[National Air and Space Intelligence Center]] (NASIC) and at [[Phillips Laboratory]], now the [[Air Force Research Laboratory]].[^1] NASIC is the successor to the [[Foreign Technology Division]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]]. A 2017 [[Business Council of Alabama]] member profile states that his career began in the [[United States Air Force]] as a "B-52 mechanic."[^7] Radiance's own December 2001 and September 2002 web pages on foreign materiel exploitation (the 2002 page lists "Hardware Reverse Engineering" and "ELINT, COMINT, FISINT, and MASINT Analysis") name Bill Bailey as the contact for the Intelligence Community support area.[^8]
The company biography gives the military portion as fourteen years that began in B-52 maintenance and moved to research and development engineering at the [[National Air and Space Intelligence Center]] (NASIC) and at [[Phillips Laboratory]], now the [[Air Force Research Laboratory]].[^1] NASIC is the successor to the [[Foreign Technology Division]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]]. A 2017 [[Business Council of Alabama]] member profile states that his career began in the [[United States Air Force]] as a "B-52 mechanic."[^7] Radiance's own December 2001 and September 2002 web pages on foreign materiel exploitation (the 2002 page lists "Hardware Reverse Engineering" and "[[ELINT]], COMINT, FISINT, and MASINT Analysis") name Bill Bailey as the contact for the Intelligence Community support area.[^8]
### Radiance Technologies
Radiance began operating on March 15, 1999 under the founders George Clark, John Dennis and Scott Dublin.[^9] On January 29, 2013 the company announced that its board had appointed Bailey president effective January 15, 2013; he had been a Radiance employee for twelve years and had moved up from senior vice president and manager of the Intelligence Systems Group. George Clark, one of the original founders, remained chairman of the board, and the company had ended 2012 with approximately $140 million in revenue.[^10] A later company biography describes Bailey as chief executive of a "$200M 100% employee-owned small business" with "core competencies in developing advanced technologies, integrating systems, performing technical intelligence, and providing engineering services to the Department of Defense."[^1]
Radiance began operating on March 15, 1999 under the founders George Clark, John Dennis and Scott Dublin.[^9] On January 29, 2013 the company announced that its board had appointed Bailey president effective January 15, 2013; he had been a Radiance employee for twelve years and had moved up from senior vice president and manager of the Intelligence Systems Group. George Clark, one of the original founders, remained chairman of the board, and the company had ended 2012 with approximately $140 million in revenue.[^10] A later company biography describes Bailey as chief executive of a "$200M 100% employee-owned small business" with "core competencies in developing advanced technologies, integrating systems, performing technical intelligence, and providing engineering services to the [[Department of Defense]]."[^1]
Under his tenure the company won the NOVASTAR contract from NASIC (announced August 19, 2022; a five-award indefinite delivery vehicle, with Radiance's vehicle FA860422DB008 carrying a $4,797,000,000 ceiling to August 18, 2027). Bailey said the award reflected "20 years of hard work" with "our customer, NASIC."[^11] On April 22, 2022 Radiance hired [[Travis Taylor]]; Bailey was quoted calling Taylor "an outstanding and highly qualified scientist."[^12] On May 12, 2022 the company announced [[Jay Stratton]] as "SME for Intel Strategy" and member of "the CEO's Strategy Team", noting that he had most recently been the first director of the [[UAP Task Force]].[^13]
@ -92,7 +98,7 @@ The October 14, 2024 announcement of the joint venture of Radiance and [[Ignite
### Louisiana ties
Radiance operates in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. On August 25, 2025 Louisiana Economic Development announced a $370.65 million secure microchip packaging facility in Lincoln Parish with Radiance, Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Tech University Foundation; the state committed $20 million in matching funds to the foundation and $17 million to Louisiana Tech. Bailey said the partnership was "a win-win opportunity that will benefit Radiance, Tech, Ruston and the entire state."[^16] Bailey gave $25,000 to Conservative Louisiana on March 31, 2026 and $27,100 in four contributions to the Letlow Victory Fund (August 12, 2022 to March 19, 2026).[^6]
Radiance operates in Shreveport and [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]]. On August 25, 2025 Louisiana Economic Development announced a $370.65 million secure microchip packaging facility in Lincoln Parish with Radiance, Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Tech University Foundation; the state committed $20 million in matching funds to the foundation and $17 million to Louisiana Tech. Bailey said the partnership was "a win-win opportunity that will benefit Radiance, Tech, Ruston and the entire state."[^16] Bailey gave $25,000 to Conservative Louisiana on March 31, 2026 and $27,100 in four contributions to the Letlow Victory Fund (August 12, 2022 to March 19, 2026).[^6]
### Berry v. Bailey
@ -100,7 +106,39 @@ Heath Berry and four other former Radiance employees sued Bailey, the Radiance d
The plaintiffs alleged that in early 2023 Bailey began exploring a sale of Radiance; that after offers from Axient and BlueHalo the board retained Jefferies, producing about fourteen offers narrowed to five, each "in a range of two times (2X) the ESOP's last appraised value"; that Bailey did not want a sale because he would not remain chief executive; that he fired Radiance president Tim Tinsley in the middle of due diligence; and that he told the board that "product(s) and programs" would lift the valuation when those products and programs "did not even exist." The complaint alleges the board then voted to table the sale and that a "brain-drain" of senior staff followed.[^3] These are the plaintiffs' allegations in a case dismissed without a ruling on the facts.
The Radiance defendants moved to dismiss on September 4, 2024, calling the suit "a nuisance suit from five former Radiance Technologies, Inc. employees" who now work for competitors, and stating that Radiance had sued two of them (Radiance Technologies, Inc. v. Berry, 47-CV-2024-90092, Madison County Circuit Court; Radiance Technologies, Inc. v. Baker, 5:24-cv-00794, N.D. Ala.).[^3] On September 18, 2025 the court granted the motions to dismiss: the plaintiffs lacked standing for the direct state-law claims, ERISA preempted the remaining state-law claims, and the ERISA claims failed for non-exhaustion of the plan's administrative remedies. The court dismissed all claims without prejudice and closed the case.[^3]
The Radiance defendants moved to dismiss on September 4, 2024, calling the suit "a nuisance suit from five former Radiance Technologies, Inc. employees" who now work for competitors, and stating that Radiance had sued two of them (Radiance Technologies, Inc. v. Berry, 47-CV-2024-900092, Madison County Circuit Court; Radiance Technologies, Inc. v. Baker, 5:24-cv-00794, N.D. Ala.).[^3] On September 18, 2025 the court granted the motions to dismiss: the plaintiffs lacked standing for the direct state-law claims, ERISA preempted the remaining state-law claims, and the ERISA claims failed for non-exhaustion of the plan's administrative remedies. The court dismissed all claims without prejudice and closed the case.[^3]
### Berry v. Bailey: docket outline
The suit began in the Circuit Court of [[Madison County, Alabama]] as No. 47-CV-2024-900415. The notice of removal (Doc. 1) was filed on April 25, 2024 by the board defendants "collectively with William C. Bailey," and the case proceeded in the [[United States]] District Court for the Northern District of Alabama as No. 5:24-cv-00522 before Judge [[Corey Maze]]. CourtListener classifies the case as Nature of Suit 791, Labor: E.R.I.S.A. (cause 29:1132). The plaintiffs, five former Radiance employees suing individually and derivatively on behalf of Radiance, named as defendants Bailey, the Radiance directors and the trustee of the Radiance employee stock ownership plan, Argent Trust Company, and the second amended complaint pleads two ERISA counts (VII and VIII) against all defendants; the allegations summarized below are the plaintiffs' pleadings, and all claims were dismissed without prejudice.[^17] The Radiance defendants' brief states that "this suit was originally filed by Berry after Radiance sued him in Madison County Circuit Court. The others joined later."[^18] Filings of record through the dismissal are:
| Doc. | Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | August 21, 2024 | Second amended and restated verified complaint of [[Heath Berry]], [[Jade Baker]], Shawn Wilbert, Eric Briggs and Daniel Anderson (38 pages) |
| 42 | September 4, 2024 | Radiance defendants' motion to dismiss and brief (33 pages) |
| 42-1 | September 4, 2024 | Eleven exhibits (204 pages): Exhibit 1, Radiance's amended complaint against Berry; Exhibit 2, Radiance's complaint against Baker; Exhibits 3, 6 and 7, LinkedIn biographies; Exhibit 4, the Alabama case action summary in the Berry case; Exhibit 5, the docket of the Baker case; Exhibits 8 to 10, the [[Employee Stock Ownership Plan]], its summary plan description and the Trust Agreement; Exhibit 11, Baker's answer |
| 43, 43-1 to 43-3 | September 4, 2024 | Argent Trust Company and affiliated defendants' motion to dismiss and Exhibits A (the ESOP, 77 pages), B (the Trust Agreement, 22 pages) and C (Form 5500, 32 pages) |
| 48 | October 7, 2024 | Plaintiffs' consolidated response to the two motions (33 pages) |
| 49 | October 7, 2024 | Plaintiffs' motion to strike the exhibits |
| 53 | October 8, 2024 | unopposed motion of Argent Trust Company, Argent Financial Group and Stephen Martin for an extension of time to reply |
| 55, 56, 57, 57-1 | October 21, 2024 | Radiance defendants' reply (13 pages); Radiance defendants' response to the motion to strike (11 pages); Argent defendants' reply (16 pages) with Exhibit D (Form 5500, 33 pages) |
| 58 | October 22, 2024 | Argent defendants' opposition to the motion to strike |
| 59 | October 29, 2024 | Plaintiffs' consolidated reply on the motion to strike |
| 67 | not stated in the opinion | Radiance defendants' motion to stay discovery pending the motions to dismiss |
| 68 | September 18, 2025 | Memorandum opinion (18 pages) |
| 69 | September 18, 2025 | Separate order of dismissal without prejudice |
The CourtListener docket, last updated September 14, 2026, lists no entry after September 18, 2025 and no notice of appeal.[^17][^19]
### Berry v. Bailey: further allegations of the second amended complaint
The second amended complaint alleges in paragraph 13 that "at Bailey's direction and with the (at least tacit) approval of the BOD, Radiance has repeatedly brought lawsuits against Berry and other former Radiance employees," that these lawsuits "are part of a pattern of intimidation," and that "Bailey has made statements in public settings that while he understands Radiance will not win certain lawsuits, he wants to put the former employees through the legal process to require them to spend money and time defending the claims, thus sending a message to current employees of Radiance that they cannot leave without a fight." It alleges in paragraph 18 that Bailey "had terminated the past two Presidents" of Radiance; in paragraph 21 that the 14 offers, culled to five, were, "[u]pon information and belief, as well as a mathematical calculation," "in the range of approximately two hundred fifty million dollars ($250,000,000)"; in paragraph 22 that Bailey "required individuals who did have knowledge of the offers, including the BOD members, to sign non-disclosure agreements"; and in paragraph 23 that a sale would have ended his ability to use Radiance's resources to support a small government contractor owned by a member of his family, for which Radiance's executives and technical staff were allegedly required to write proposals. In paragraph 33 it lists the roughly ten senior executives who resigned after the sale was tabled: "the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Growth Officer (CGO), Chief Capabilities Officer (CCO), a former President/Executive Vice President, and five (5) other Senior Vice Presidents."[^20] The opinion of September 18, 2025 restates the allegation about the family member's company as the plaintiffs' allegation that Bailey "would have been unable to booster" it "(which he had allegedly been doing for years as Radiance's CEO)."[^19]
### Berry v. Bailey: the motions and the opinion
The Radiance defendants' motion stated four grounds: preemption by the [[Employee Retirement Income Security Act]] (ERISA) of the state-law claims and failure to exhaust the plan's remedies; no standing, because the plaintiffs "are not Radiance stockholders"; "direct" claims that are "actually derivative"; and, for derivative claims, failure to satisfy procedural requirements and inability to "fairly and adequately represent Radiance's interests" because each plaintiff now works for a competitor. It asked that the claims be dismissed "with prejudice" and stated that PeopleTec, Radiance and [[COLSA]] "compete for federal government contracts."[^18] The Argent defendants' motion argued ERISA preemption of all state-law claims and failure of the ERISA claims.[^21] The plaintiffs' motion to strike (Doc. 49) sought removal of every exhibit except the ESOP and the Trust Agreement, including the pleadings from the Berry and Baker cases (Doc. 42, Exhibits 1, 2 and 11), the LinkedIn biographies, the Alabama case summary and the federal docket sheet, the summary plan description, and the 2022 Form 5500, citing the rule that "courts may not take judicial notice of documents in separate judicial proceedings."[^22]
Judge Maze's memorandum opinion of September 18, 2025 granted the motions to dismiss on three grounds. First, the plaintiffs lacked standing for the direct claims (Counts I and II): they "do not technically hold 'stock' in Radiance" because the ESOP trustee holds it, the stock appreciation rights are "contractual rights," and the alleged harm "affects all 'stockholders' equally." Second, the plaintiffs did have standing for the derivative claims (Counts III and IV) as "beneficial stockholders" under Alabama Code sections 10A-2A-7.40 and 10A-2A-1.40, but ERISA preempted those claims against the Radiance defendants (by complete preemption and by defensive preemption) and the state-law claims against the Argent defendants (Counts V and VI, by defensive preemption). Third, the plaintiffs failed to exhaust the ESOP's claims procedure, which defeated the ERISA counts (VII and VIII); on the plaintiffs' argument that exhaustion would have been futile, the court wrote: "while it may be true that Radiance would likely have rejected Plaintiffs' claims, Plaintiffs still had to present them before filing suit." The court denied the motion to strike "in part and as moot in part" because it "did not consider the challenged materials, other than the ESOP Plan Summary, to reach its decision," denied the motion to stay discovery as moot, and stated that it would enter a separate order dismissing all claims without prejudice and closing the case.[^19]
### Political contributions
@ -108,15 +146,15 @@ The FEC records itemized contributions under the name William C. Bailey, with em
By committee, the largest totals are Grow the Majority ($270,000, five rows, May 3, 2024 to June 30, 2026); [[Steve Scalise]]'s Scalise Leadership Fund ($115,000, eight rows, May 4, 2021 to April 27, 2026); the Tuberville Victory Fund ($35,000, three rows, October 21, 2023 to March 31, 2025); the Letlow Victory Fund of [[Julia Letlow]] ($27,100, four rows, August 12, 2022 to March 19, 2026); Britt Senate Victory ($26,000, April 28, 2025); Conservative Louisiana ($25,000, March 31, 2026); the Johnson Leadership Fund of [[Mike Johnson]] ($20,000, December 31, 2023); the Strong Victory Fund ($17,000, two rows, February 28 and April 27, 2026); and [[Jerry Carl]] for Congress ($15,570.71, three rows, May 22, 2022 to September 26, 2025).[^6]
Contributions to members of Congress and senators with intelligence, armed services or appropriations roles are itemized as follows: [[Mike Rogers]] for Congress, $14,500 (seven rows, June 29, 2020 to March 18, 2025) and Mike Rogers Victory, $1,000 (October 10, 2023); [[Dale Strong]] for Congress, $14,100 (five rows, June 11, 2021 to March 19, 2024); [[Katie Britt]], Britt for Alabama Inc., $11,200 (five rows, December 31, 2021 to May 2, 2023), Team Katie, $5,800 (October 26, 2022) and Britt Senate Victory, $5,000 (September 27, 2024); [[Tommy Tuberville]], Tuberville for Senate Inc., $9,500 (three rows, March 29, 2021 to July 25, 2025); [[Mike Turner]], Citizens for Turner, $9,200 (four rows, June 30, 2008 to July 31, 2024); [[Robert Aderholt]] for Congress, $7,057 (three rows, June 21, 2021 to September 30, 2025); [[Mo Brooks]] for Congress, $5,300 (two rows, April 25, 2019 and October 5, 2020); and [[Richard Shelby]], Shelby for U.S. Senate, $2,400 (April 2, 2009). Earlier recipients include [[Jeff Sessions]] (Friends of Sessions Senate Committee, $5,000, January 8, 2020) and [[Doug Jones]] (Doug Jones for Senate Committee, fifteen rows totaling $3,200, August 14, 2019 to October 31, 2020).[^6]
Contributions to members of Congress and senators with intelligence, armed services or appropriations roles are itemized as follows: [[Mike Rogers]] for Congress, $14,500 (seven rows, June 29, 2020 to March 18, 2025) and Mike Rogers Victory, $1,000 (October 10, 2023); Dale Strong for Congress, $14,100 (five rows, June 11, 2021 to March 19, 2024); Katie Britt, Britt for Alabama Inc., $11,200 (five rows, December 31, 2021 to May 2, 2023), Team Katie, $5,800 (October 26, 2022) and Britt Senate Victory, $5,000 (September 27, 2024); Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville for Senate Inc., $9,500 (three rows, March 29, 2021 to July 25, 2025); [[Mike Turner]], Citizens for Turner, $9,200 (four rows, June 30, 2008 to July 31, 2024); Robert Aderholt for Congress, $7,057 (three rows, June 21, 2021 to September 30, 2025); [[Mo Brooks]] for Congress, $5,300 (two rows, April 25, 2019 and October 5, 2020); and Richard Shelby, Shelby for U.S. Senate, $2,400 (April 2, 2009). Earlier recipients include [[Jeff Sessions]] (Friends of Sessions Senate Committee, $5,000, January 8, 2020) and [[Doug Jones]] (Doug Jones for Senate Committee, fifteen rows totaling $3,200, August 14, 2019 to October 31, 2020).[^6][^23]
The Radiance PAC (committee C00372979, first filed February 12, 2002) has listed E. Scott Dublin (2002 to 2018), Seth Crochet (2020 to 2024) and Robert Seth Brasher (2026) as treasurer; Bailey is not listed as treasurer. The PAC's own itemized gifts include $37,100 to Rogers, $51,250 to Turner and $25,000 to the Turner Victory Fund.[^6] The Business Council of Alabama lists Bailey on its 2026 board, and [[256 Today]] reported on February 12, 2026 that he is a member of the campaign finance committee of Tuberville's campaign.[^17][^18]
The Radiance PAC (committee C00372979, first filed February 12, 2002) has listed E. Scott Dublin (2002 to 2018), Seth Crochet (2020 to 2024) and Robert Seth Brasher (2026) as treasurer; Bailey is not listed as treasurer. The PAC's own itemized gifts include $37,100 to Rogers, $51,250 to Turner and $25,000 to the Turner Victory Fund.[^6] The Business Council of Alabama lists Bailey on its 2026 board, and [[256 Today]] reported on February 12, 2026 that he is a member of the campaign finance committee of Tuberville's campaign.[^24][^25]
### UAP-related claims touching Radiance
Radiance's president Tim Tinsley told [[KLAS-TV]]'s [[George Knapp]] on October 13, 2022, about a hypothetical request to take apart a UFO, "Why not. I'm waiting for one of those," and "No, we provide customer solutions"; Taylor said "Jay and I are working on growing the capabilities, doing reverse engineering of foreign materials." The report states that Radiance "isn't able to confirm the allegations" about crash-retrieval briefings.[^19] The report does not quote Bailey.
Radiance's president Tim Tinsley told [[KLAS-TV]]'s [[George Knapp]] on October 13, 2022, about a hypothetical request to take apart a UFO, "Why not. I'm waiting for one of those," and "No, we provide customer solutions"; Taylor said "Jay and I are working on growing the capabilities, doing reverse engineering of foreign materials." The report states that Radiance "isn't able to confirm the allegations" about crash-retrieval briefings.[^26] The report does not quote Bailey.
On December 3, 2023 [[Liberation Times]] published [[Daniel Sheehan]]'s statement that [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Raytheon]] and "now Radiance Technologies" were "given particular discrete aspects of the technology to try to figure it out." The same article states that the outlet was unable to substantiate the claim, that multiple sources described it as untrue, and that Stratton and Taylor were "in no way involved in any coverup."[^20]
On December 3, 2023 [[Liberation Times]] published [[Daniel Sheehan]]'s statement that [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Raytheon]] and "now Radiance Technologies" were "given particular discrete aspects of the technology to try to figure it out." The same article states that the outlet was unable to substantiate the claim, that multiple sources described it as untrue, and that Stratton and Taylor were "in no way involved in any coverup."[^27]
### Footnotes
@ -136,7 +174,14 @@ On December 3, 2023 [[Liberation Times]] published [[Daniel Sheehan]]'s statemen
[^14]: Huntsville Business Journal, "The right stuff: local defense company celebrates success," March 19, 2025. https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/news/2025/03/19/the-right-stuff-local-defense-company-celebrates-success
[^15]: 256 Today, "Radiance Technologies promotes Darien Hammett to chief operating officer," April 21, 2026. https://256today.com/radiance-technologies-promotes-darien-hammett-to-chief-operating-officer/
[^16]: Louisiana Economic Development, "Radiance Technologies Announces $370 Million Microchip Facility in North Louisiana," August 25, 2025. https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/radiance-technologies-announces-370-million-microchip-facility-in-north-louisiana-to-bolster-and-secure-national-supply-chains
[^17]: Business Council of Alabama, 2026 Board of Directors. https://www.bcatoday.org/bca-board-of-directors
[^18]: 256 Today, "North Alabama business leaders anchor Tuberville's campaign finance committee," February 12, 2026. https://256today.com/north-alabama-business-leaders-anchor-tubervilles-campaign-finance-committee/
[^19]: KLAS-TV 8 News Now (George Knapp), "Is this company working with alien technology in Nevada?" October 13, 2022. https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/is-this-company-working-with-alien-technology-in-nevada/
[^20]: Liberation Times, Daniel Sheehan interview, December 3, 2023. Sole source for the Sheehan passages so cited. https://www.liberationtimes.com/home/daniel-sheehan-exposes-five-powerful-republicans-blocking-ufo-disclosure-act-as-the-clock-ticks-down
[^17]: Berry v. Bailey, No. 5:24-cv-00522-CLM (N.D. Ala.), Doc. 1 (notice of removal, April 25, 2024; original state case No. 47-CV-2024-900415), Doc. 33 (caption), and the CourtListener docket entries 1 to 69, last updated September 14, 2026. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68716598/berry-v-bailey/ ; https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.33.0.pdf
[^18]: Berry v. Bailey, Doc. 42, Radiance Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint and Incorporated Memorandum Brief, Introduction and footnote 20, September 4, 2024. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.42.0.pdf
[^19]: Berry v. Bailey, Doc. 68, Memorandum Opinion, September 18, 2025, pages 1 to 18; Doc. 69 (order of dismissal), as listed on the docket. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.68.0.pdf
[^20]: Berry v. Bailey, Doc. 33, Second Amended and Restated Verified Complaint, paragraphs 13, 18, 21 to 23 and 33 (pages 5 to 10 and 14), August 21, 2024. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.33.0.pdf
[^21]: Berry v. Bailey, Doc. 43, Argent Defendants' motion to dismiss and brief, September 4, 2024, Introduction. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.43.0.pdf
[^22]: Berry v. Bailey, Doc. 49, Plaintiffs' Motion to Strike Defendants' Exhibits Submitted in Support of Motions to Dismiss, October 7, 2024, pages 1 to 4; Docs. 48, 53, 55 to 59 as listed. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.49.0.pdf
[^23]: Federal Election Commission, Schedule A, committee C00610055 (Mike Rogers Victory), report type YE, contributor "BAILEY, WILLIAM C," occupation CEO, employer Radiance Technologies, October 10, 2023, $1,000, image 202401299600583863. The FEC record also carries a second William C. Bailey with an engineering occupation; the row is attributed by occupation. https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202401299600583863
[^24]: Business Council of Alabama, 2026 Board of Directors. https://www.bcatoday.org/bca-board-of-directors
[^25]: 256 Today, "North Alabama business leaders anchor Tuberville's campaign finance committee," February 12, 2026. https://256today.com/north-alabama-business-leaders-anchor-tubervilles-campaign-finance-committee/
[^26]: KLAS-TV 8 News Now (George Knapp), "Is this company working with alien technology in Nevada?" October 13, 2022. https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/is-this-company-working-with-alien-technology-in-nevada/
[^27]: Liberation Times, Daniel Sheehan interview, December 3, 2023. Sole source for the Sheehan passages so cited. https://www.liberationtimes.com/home/daniel-sheehan-exposes-five-powerful-republicans-blocking-ufo-disclosure-act-as-the-clock-ticks-down

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10 - PEOPLE/(A-G)/Bud Cramer.md Normal file
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@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
---
category: "People"
tags:
- Person
- Congress
- Lobbyist
- HuntsvilleAlabama
- DefenseContractor
- CorporateDirector
- Radiance
alias:
- Robert E. Cramer
- Robert E. Cramer Jr.
- Robert E. (Bud) Cramer
- Robert Cramer
- Bud Cramer
summary: "Democratic member of the House from Alabama's 5th District from 1991 to 2009, Radiance Technologies director from December 2015, and a lobbyist listed on 535 Group filings; a defendant in Berry v. Bailey."
location: "Huntsville, Alabama"
relations:
- type: member_of
with: "[[United States House of Representatives]]"
start: 1991-01-03
end: 2009-01-03
role: "Democratic Representative from Alabama's 5th District, nine terms (102nd through 110th Congresses)"
fn: 1
- type: director_of
with: "[[Radiance Technologies]]"
start: 2015-12-21
role: "member of the board of directors, announced December 21, 2015; named as a director and defendant in the second amended complaint in Berry v. Bailey filed August 21, 2024"
fn: 2
- type: employed_by
with: "[[535 Group]]"
start: 2021
role: "named as lobbyist on the registrations and quarterly reports of 535 Group, LLC filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act from 2021 through 2026"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Northrop Grumman]]"
start: 2021
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings for Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, issue areas Defense, Budget/Appropriations and Taxation, 2021 to 2026"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[United Launch Alliance]]"
start: 2021
end: 2025
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings, issue areas Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Aerospace and Transportation"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Leidos]]"
start: 2023
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings, issue areas Homeland Security, Defense, Budget/Appropriations and Aviation, 2023 to 2026"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Technology Service Corporation]]"
start: 2022
end: 2022
role: "listed as lobbyist on the 535 Group registration for the client filed in the fourth quarter of 2022 (issue areas Defense, Budget/Appropriations and Small Business); the client's reports from 2023 through the second quarter of 2026 list a different 535 Group lobbyist"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Maxar Technologies]]"
start: 2021
end: 2023
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings, issue areas Defense, Budget/Appropriations and Aerospace"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Capstone Research Corporation]]"
start: 2025
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings, issue areas Defense and Budget/Appropriations, 2025 to 2026"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority]]"
start: 2021
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings, 2021 to 2026"
fn: 3
- type: represented
with: "[[HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology]]"
start: 2021
end: 2025
role: "lobbyist on 535 Group filings for the client listed as HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology"
fn: 3
- type: defendant_in
with: "[[Berry v. Bailey]]"
start: 2024-04-25
end: 2025-09-18
role: "named defendant as a Radiance director in Berry v. Bailey, No. 5:24-cv-00522 (N.D. Ala.); all claims dismissed without prejudice September 18, 2025"
fn: 4
created: 2026-10-04
updated: 2026-10-04
---
Robert E. "Bud" Cramer Jr. was born in [[Huntsville]], [[Alabama]], on August 22, 1947. The [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] lists a B.A. from the [[University of Alabama]] (1969) and a J.D. from the University of Alabama Law School (1972), service in the [[United States Army]] in 1972 and the [[United States Army Reserve]] from 1976 to 1978, work as an assistant district attorney of [[Madison County, Alabama]] (1973 to 1975), private law practice, and service as district attorney of Madison County from 1981 to 1990.[^1]
### House of Representatives, 1991 to 2009
The Biographical Directory records that Cramer was "elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1991-January 3, 2009)" and "was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Eleventh Congress in 2008." Each of the nine terms was for Alabama's 5th Congressional District.[^1]
### Radiance Technologies board, from December 2015
On December 21, 2015 [[Radiance Technologies]] posted an [[AL.com]] article under the headline "Former Congressman Bud Cramer joins Radiance board of directors." The article states that Cramer "has joined the board of directors at Radiance Technologies," that he "retired in 2008 after serving nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Huntsville and north Alabama" and that he "is now working as a lobbyist in Washington." The article's photograph caption describes a December 4, 2015 ceremony at which Cramer "donated $50,000 to UAH to help store and preserve his documents from his time in Congress" ([[University of Alabama in Huntsville]]). [[Bill Bailey]], then president of Radiance, is quoted: "We could not be more proud to have Congressman Cramer joining the Radiance team. His experience in Washington and his insight will be a tremendous asset for our customers and our future growth." The article gives Cramer's statement: "Radiance Technologies has grown over the last 15 years to become one of the most respected aerospace and defense technology firms in the country and I am proud to join their team."[^2]
### 535 Group lobbying filings
Reports filed under the [[Lobbying Disclosure Act]] by [[535 Group]], LLC, registered as "Government Relations Consulting" in [[Washington, D.C.]], name Robert Cramer as a lobbyist. He is named as a lobbyist on the registrations and reports of the following clients, with the years of those filings and the general issue areas reported:
[[Northrop Grumman]] Systems Corporation (2021 to 2026; Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Taxation); [[United Launch Alliance]] (2021 to 2025; Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Aerospace, Transportation); [[Leidos]] (2023 to 2026; Homeland Security, Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Aviation); [[Technology Service Corporation]] (registration filed in the fourth quarter of 2022 only; Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Small Business; the client's later reports from 2023 through 2026 list another 535 Group lobbyist); [[Maxar Technologies]] (2021 to 2023; Defense, Budget/Appropriations, Aerospace); [[Capstone Research Corporation]] (2025 to 2026; Defense, Budget/Appropriations); [[Hawkeye 360]], through Reston Strategy Group, LLC (2021 to 2023; Defense, Budget/Appropriations); the MSPs for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure, "The Collective" (2023 to 2025; Computer Industry, Defense, Budget/Appropriations); the [[Boy Scouts of America]] (2021 to 2022; Bankruptcy, Budget/Appropriations); the City of Huntsville (2021 to 2026); the [[Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority]] (2021 to 2026); [[Huntsville Hospital Health System]] (2021 to 2026); the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of the City of Huntsville (2021 to 2026); and the [[HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology|HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology]] (2021 to 2025).[^3]
### Berry v. Bailey
Cramer is the first of the directors listed in paragraph 8 of the second amended verified complaint in [[Berry v. Bailey]], (Doc. 33, filed August 21, 2024) by five former Radiance employees in the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama]] (removed April 25, 2024 from the [[Madison County Circuit Court]]). Paragraph 8(a) pleads: "Cramer who is an adult resident of Madison County, Alabama." The complaint does not describe him as an employee of Radiance, as it does [[Jim Scanlon]], [[Jed Deason]] and [[Carol Tevepaugh]]. It alleges that the board, which it defines to include Cramer, "voted to table the sale" of Radiance after receiving about 14 offers, that five of them were "in a range of two times (2X) the ESOP's last appraised value" and "approximately two hundred fifty million dollars ($250,000,000)," that Bailey "required individuals who did have knowledge of the offers, including the BOD members, to sign non-disclosure agreements," and that the board members "did no due diligence" on Bailey's representations. Count II pleads a direct state-law breach of fiduciary duty against the board members, Count IV the derivative counterpart, and Count VII a claim under the [[Employee Retirement Income Security Act]]. These are the plaintiffs' allegations.[^4]
[[Corey L. Maze]], the presiding judge, dismissed the state-law claims for lack of standing (direct claims) or ERISA preemption (derivative claims) and the ERISA claims for failure to exhaust the plan's claims procedure, and dismissed all claims without prejudice on September 18, 2025, without a ruling on the facts alleged.[^5]
### Footnotes
[^1]: "CRAMER, Robert E. (Bud), Jr.," Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov (identifier C000868), Wayback Machine capture of 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/2015/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000868 ; term dates (nine terms, Alabama 5th District, January 3, 1991 to January 3, 2009) from the Biographical Directory data as compiled in the congress-legislators dataset, https://unitedstates.github.io/congress-legislators/legislators-historical.json
[^2]: "Former Congressman Bud Cramer joins Radiance board of directors," Radiance Technologies, December 21, 2015 (reprinting AL.com), Wayback Machine capture of February 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160206090857/https://www.radiancetech.com/former-congressman-bud-cramer-joins-huntsville-technology-company/
[^3]: Senate Office of Public Records and House Clerk lobbying disclosure filings (Lobbying Disclosure Act), registrant 535 GROUP, LLC (registrant identifier 401105906), registrations and quarterly reports 2021 to 2026, lobbyist listing, client names and general issue areas, retrieved through the lda.gov filings API on October 4, 2026. https://lda.gov/api/v1/filings/?registrant_name=535+Group
[^4]: Berry v. Bailey, No. 5:24-cv-00522-CLM (N.D. Ala.), Doc. 33 (second amended verified complaint, filed August 21, 2024), caption and paragraphs 8, 9, 20 to 22, 26 to 30, counts II, IV and VII. https://archive.org/download/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482/gov.uscourts.alnd.189482.33.0.pdf
[^5]: Berry v. Bailey, No. 5:24-cv-00522-CLM, Doc. 68, Memorandum Opinion (September 18, 2025) and Doc. 69, order of dismissal without prejudice. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-alnd-5_24-cv-00522/pdf/USCOURTS-alnd-5_24-cv-00522-0.pdf

111
10 - PEOPLE/(A-G)/Prince Andrew.md
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@ -16,20 +16,20 @@ summary: "Second son of Elizabeth II, friend of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Ma
born: 1960-02-19
location: "London, United Kingdom"
created: 2026-06-20
updated: 2026-09-25
updated: 2026-10-04
relations:
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Giuffre v. Prince Andrew]]"
role: "defendant"
start: 2021-08-09
end: 2022-03-08
fn: 16
fn: 21
- type: investigated
with: "[[Thames Valley Police]]"
reverse: true
role: "arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office; released under investigation"
start: 2026-02-19
fn: 23
fn: 28
- type: relative_of
with: "[[Elizabeth II]]"
role: "son"
@ -38,6 +38,16 @@ relations:
with: "[[Charles III]]"
role: "brother"
fn: 1
- type: subject_of
with: "[[Cantor Fitzgerald]]"
start: 2013-08-29
role: 'the "PA" of the August 29, 2013 Cantor Fitzgerald term sheet "from Howard to PA" for a joint venture, Cantor Urramoor Asset Management (preliminary draft), and of a November 2013 draft referral agreement (unsigned); the BBC reported on July 14, 2026 that the deal "came to nothing"'
fn: 6
- type: advised_by
with: "[[David Stern (business adviser)]]"
start: 2013-07-10
role: 'described by the BBC (July 14, 2026) as "the prince\'s business aide"; sender of the July 10, 2013 note "Just met him with PA" and of the September 2, 2013 exchange on the Cantor term sheet'
fn: 8
---
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (born February 19, 1960) is the second son of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip|Prince Philip]]. He served in the Royal Navy, including during the 1982 Falklands War, and held the title Duke of York from his 1986 marriage to [[Sarah Ferguson|Sarah Ferguson]]. His association with [[Jeffrey Epstein|Jeffrey Epstein]] and [[Ghislaine Maxwell|Ghislaine Maxwell]] became the subject of sustained press coverage, a 2019 [[BBC|BBC]] interview, a 2021 civil lawsuit brought by [[Virginia Giuffre|Virginia Giuffre]], and a 2022 settlement. In late 2025 King [[Charles III|Charles III]] initiated the removal of Andrew's royal style and titles, after which he is known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Andrew has consistently denied Giuffre's allegations.[^1][^2]
@ -54,57 +64,71 @@ Andrew served as a [[United Kingdom]] trade envoy, a Special Representative for
The dinner at the townhouse was organized by the publicist [[Peggy Siegal]]. Writing to the ABC News anchor [[George Stephanopoulos]] on December 1, 2010, she said: "I am putting together a very last minute casual dinner for Prince Andrew, who is in New York on an unofficial private visit. Please come and bring [your wife]. The list for far...and we are keeping this private and small... Prince Andrew, [[Woody Allen]] and [[Soon-Yi Previn|Soon-Yi]], [[Katie Couric]]....Jeffrey Epstein, where Andrew is staying. Jeffrey's house is one the largest single dwellings in New York...it's beautiful." Stephanopoulos accepted ("We'd love to Peggy...thanks...right around the corner from our house!"), and Siegal replied that the dinner would begin at 8 p.m., "So come on time and you will have private time with Andrew because he is staying at the house." On December 2 Stephanopoulos wrote that he could still come but his wife, [[Ali Wentworth]], could not; Siegal answered, "OK...we will take a chair away." The chain was preserved in Epstein's email account.[^3] Epstein had been released from his Florida sentence seventeen months earlier.
### The 2013 Cantor Fitzgerald Proposal
On July 10, 2013 [[David Stern (business adviser)|David Stern]], whom the BBC describes as "the prince's business aide," wrote to Jeffrey Epstein: "What is your view on Howard Lutnick ? Just met him with PA." Epstein replied twenty-three minutes later, by the header times: "My neighbor smart." The documents do not state where the meeting took place or expand "PA."[^4]
On August 9, 2013 a message displayed as sent by "The Duke" forwarded to Stern a solicitor's attendance note of an August 8 telephone call to [[New York City|New York]], filed under "Urramoor" and headed "HL Asset Management etc." Stern sent it on to Epstein under the subject "HL Loan - CD/SM call note 8.8.13." The note records that "It is common ground that no PG will be required from AC" and that "the commitment by AC to contribute any profits derived from the similar activity carried on outside the assets management company would be acceptable until such time as the debt was repaid." Epstein answered: "no no no no no, howards main businesss is gambing in las vegas. he will have to disclose to the las vegas commsion his arrangeent and you will have holy hell to pay."[^5]
A term sheet dated August 29, 2013, "Preliminary Draft for Discussion Purposes Only," described a joint venture "to be known as Cantor Urramoor Asset Management" between a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Cantor Fitzgerald]] and "[Urramoor], an entity owned by a trust created by Mr. T." It provided that "the Company would advance the sum of £1,000,000 to Urramoor which would accrue interest at an annual rate of 3.5%, compounded annually," and that "Mr. T would refer all business opportunities (including his affiliates' business opportunities) to the Company." It ends: "It is not a commitment to form the Company, either express or implied." On September 2, 2013 Stern forwarded it to Epstein as "term sheet from Howard to PA. I think madness. They are still at it. We kill it ?" Epstein proposed a counter: "fifty fifty split, first 1 millino to offset loan, no subs acting without written agreement as to fee and profits . no exclusivity." Stern asked, "Instead of 50/50, can we do 40/40/20 ? 20 for me.... This is original PA idea," and Epstein answered "yes."[^6]
A draft "Agreement for Referrals" of November 2013 between Cantor Opportunities, LLC and "Urramoor Limited," with blank signature blocks and a joinder line headed "David Stern," replaced the joint venture with a referral arrangement in which a referral fee to Cantor "would be split 50/50 with UML." On November 16, 2013 Stern asked Epstein, "Have you seen Cantor Fitzgerald proposal?" and Epstein replied "goofy."[^7]
[[Companies House]] lists Urramoor Limited (company number 08424933, incorporated February 28, 2013, dissolved April 1, 2025) with a person with significant control named "Hrh Andrew Inverness," notified April 6, 2016, whose nature of control is "Has significant influence or control over the trustees of a trust."[^5]
The BBC reported on July 14, 2026 that [[Simon Andriesz]] found in the released files that a firm of [[Howard Lutnick]] "had made plans in 2013 to go into business with" Andrew, and that "Under the proposed terms of the deal, £1m would be loaned to a firm controlled by the prince, which would then be bound to do business exclusively with Cantor Fitzgerald." The BBC wrote that Lutnick "had been friends with Ferguson" (Andrew's former wife, Sarah Ferguson) "since the 1990s and was a guest at Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018," and that advisers to both sides "discussed the deal for four months, from August to November 2013, but it came to nothing." Cantor Fitzgerald "did not deny the talks took place but told the BBC it did not go into business with the former prince." Andrew "did not respond to a request for comment."[^8]
### JPMorgan's Project Jeep Review
After Epstein's July 2019 arrest, [[JPMorgan Chase|JPMorgan]]'s compliance staff reviewed his correspondence with the bank's executives in an internal project code-named "Project Jeep." Its October 2019 summary, quoted by the [[United States Virgin Islands]] in its 2023 suit against the bank, stated: "Jeffrey Epstein appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the [Duke] of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British Government. He also appears to have a close relationship with Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem who is a senior [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] official involved in ownership of the Dubai Ports."[^4] [[Peter Mandelson]] had been business secretary from 2008 to 2010, while Andrew was trade envoy; [[Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem]] then headed the Dubai ports operator [[DP World]].[^5][^6]
After Epstein's July 2019 arrest, [[JPMorgan Chase|JPMorgan]]'s compliance staff reviewed his correspondence with the bank's executives in an internal project code-named "Project Jeep." Its October 2019 summary, quoted by the [[United States Virgin Islands]] in its 2023 suit against the bank, stated: "Jeffrey Epstein appears to maintain a particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew the [Duke] of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British Government. He also appears to have a close relationship with Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem who is a senior [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] official involved in ownership of the Dubai Ports."[^9] [[Peter Mandelson]] had been business secretary from 2008 to 2010, while Andrew was trade envoy; [[Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem]] then headed the Dubai ports operator [[DP World]].[^10][^11]
On January 6, 2015 a correspondent whose name is redacted wrote to Epstein's personal email address: "What hidden cameras in guest room walls?" The message contained only a link to a *[[Daily Mirror|Mirror]]* article whose address read "prince-andrew-been-secretly-filmed."[^7]
On January 6, 2015 a correspondent whose name is redacted wrote to Epstein's personal email address: "What hidden cameras in guest room walls?" The message contained only a link to a *[[Daily Mirror|Mirror]]* article whose address read "prince-andrew-been-secretly-filmed."[^12]
### The Mutual Legal Assistance Request
On June 8, 2020, after *The Hill* reported that prosecutors in New York had asked to question Andrew, an agent in the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]'s New York field office forwarded the story to a supervisor with the question: "what's the latest with the Epstein case? Anything new on this MLAT request for Prince Andrew?" Another agent in the chain wrote that "SDNY planned on speaking with the USA a week or so ago," referring to the [[Southern District of New York]] and the [[United States]] Attorney.[^8]
On June 8, 2020, after *The Hill* reported that prosecutors in New York had asked to question Andrew, an agent in the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]'s New York field office forwarded the story to a supervisor with the question: "what's the latest with the Epstein case? Anything new on this MLAT request for Prince Andrew?" Another agent in the chain wrote that "[[U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York|SDNY]] planned on speaking with the USA a week or so ago," referring to the [[Southern District of New York]] and the [[United States]] Attorney.[^13]
### The 2001 Photograph
A photograph dated to March 2001 shows Andrew with his arm around the waist of Giuffre, then 17, with Maxwell standing behind them in a doorway. According to the account associated with the image and with Giuffre's later filings, the photograph was taken at Maxwell's home in the Belgravia district of London. The Mail on Sunday published a cropped version of the photograph in 2011 and the full image circulated in 2019.[^9]
A photograph dated to March 2001 shows Andrew with his arm around the waist of Giuffre, then 17, with Maxwell standing behind them in a doorway. According to the account associated with the image and with Giuffre's later filings, the photograph was taken at Maxwell's home in the Belgravia district of London. The Mail on Sunday published a cropped version of the photograph in 2011 and the full image circulated in 2019.[^14]
Giuffre said she had been flown to London by Epstein, had gone to the [[Tramp (nightclub)|Tramp]] nightclub with Andrew and others on the evening of March 10, 2001, and was then directed to have sex with Andrew at Maxwell's Belgravia house, an account Andrew has denied. Andrew questioned the photograph in public statements, saying in 2019 he had "no recollection" of the image being taken and could not confirm whether it had been doctored, while noting he was not in the habit of wearing the clothes shown. Maxwell, in her own statements, has at points cast doubt on the surrounding account. The *Mirror* reported that Giuffre's lawyers held the original photograph, and questions about the absence of the negative recurred in commentary.[^9] In her posthumous memoir [[Nobody's Girl]], Giuffre wrote that Epstein himself took the photograph.[^10]
Giuffre said she had been flown to London by Epstein, had gone to the [[Tramp (nightclub)|Tramp]] nightclub with Andrew and others on the evening of March 10, 2001, and was then directed to have sex with Andrew at Maxwell's Belgravia house, an account Andrew has denied. Andrew questioned the photograph in public statements, saying in 2019 he had "no recollection" of the image being taken and could not confirm whether it had been doctored, while noting he was not in the habit of wearing the clothes shown. Maxwell, in her own statements, has at points cast doubt on the surrounding account. The *Mirror* reported that Giuffre's lawyers held the original photograph, and questions about the absence of the negative recurred in commentary.[^14] In her posthumous memoir [[Nobody's Girl]], Giuffre wrote that Epstein himself took the photograph.[^15]
Andrew also addressed the photograph in the 2019 interview by saying the clothing and the setting did not match his recollection and by raising what he described as inconsistencies, while Maitlis pressed him on why he could not simply confirm or deny that he had been at the locations Giuffre described. He maintained that he had no memory of ever meeting Giuffre.[^11]
Andrew also addressed the photograph in the 2019 interview by saying the clothing and the setting did not match his recollection and by raising what he described as inconsistencies, while Maitlis pressed him on why he could not simply confirm or deny that he had been at the locations Giuffre described. He maintained that he had no memory of ever meeting Giuffre.[^16]
### The Sjoberg Deposition and Other Testimony
[[Johanna Sjoberg]], who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, testified in a 2016 deposition in [[Giuffre v. Maxwell]] that in 2001, when she was 21, she was at Epstein's Manhattan home with Andrew and Giuffre when Maxwell took her to fetch a caricature puppet of Andrew from the satirical television series [[Spitting Image]]. She testified that she sat on Andrew's lap while Giuffre sat beside him with the puppet on her lap, that the group was photographed with the puppet's hand placed on Giuffre's breast, and that Andrew then put his hand on Sjoberg's breast. Asked about the puppet in her own deposition, Maxwell said: "Not a puppet. I don't know how you would describe it. A caricature of Prince Andrew," and "I recollect the puppet but I don't recollect anything around the puppet." Buckingham Palace had earlier called Sjoberg's allegations "categorically untrue." After the deposition was released in the January 2024 unsealing, the [[Metropolitan Police]] said: "No investigation has been launched."[^12]
[[Johanna Sjoberg]], who worked for Epstein as a masseuse, testified in a 2016 deposition in [[Giuffre v. Maxwell]] that in 2001, when she was 21, she was at Epstein's Manhattan home with Andrew and Giuffre when Maxwell took her to fetch a caricature puppet of Andrew from the satirical television series [[Spitting Image]]. She testified that she sat on Andrew's lap while Giuffre sat beside him with the puppet on her lap, that the group was photographed with the puppet's hand placed on Giuffre's breast, and that Andrew then put his hand on Sjoberg's breast. Asked about the puppet in her own deposition, Maxwell said: "Not a puppet. I don't know how you would describe it. A caricature of Prince Andrew," and "I recollect the puppet but I don't recollect anything around the puppet." Buckingham Palace had earlier called Sjoberg's allegations "categorically untrue." After the deposition was released in the January 2024 unsealing, the [[Metropolitan Police]] said: "No investigation has been launched."[^17]
[[Adriana Ross]], a former Epstein employee named in the 2007 [[Epstein non-prosecution agreement|non-prosecution agreement]] as a potential co-conspirator, repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination when questioned in 2010 about Andrew's alleged involvement.[^13]
[[Adriana Ross]], a former Epstein employee named in the 2007 [[Epstein non-prosecution agreement|non-prosecution agreement]] as a potential co-conspirator, repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination when questioned in 2010 about Andrew's alleged involvement.[^18]
### The 2019 BBC Newsnight Interview
On November 16, 2019, Andrew recorded an interview at Buckingham Palace with [[Emily Maitlis|Emily Maitlis]] for the BBC program [[Newsnight|Newsnight]], broadcast on November 16 and running about 58 minutes, addressing his relationship with Epstein and Giuffre's allegations. Andrew said he could not have been with Giuffre on the night of March 10, 2001, that she described because he had been at home and had taken his daughter [[Princess Beatrice|Princess Beatrice]] to a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking for a children's party, an outing he said he remembered because going to a Pizza Express in Woking was "an unusual thing for me to do."[^11]
On November 16, 2019, Andrew recorded an interview at Buckingham Palace with [[Emily Maitlis|Emily Maitlis]] for the BBC program [[Newsnight|Newsnight]], broadcast on November 16 and running about 58 minutes, addressing his relationship with Epstein and Giuffre's allegations. Andrew said he could not have been with Giuffre on the night of March 10, 2001, that she described because he had been at home and had taken his daughter [[Princess Beatrice|Princess Beatrice]] to a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking for a children's party, an outing he said he remembered because going to a Pizza Express in Woking was "an unusual thing for me to do."[^16]
Andrew also said he had "a peculiar medical condition" that meant he did not sweat at the time, which he attributed to an adrenaline overdose dating to the Falklands War, in response to Giuffre's description of him perspiring at the Tramp nightclub. He described his stay at Epstein's home after the 2008 conviction as a decision he made because it was "convenient," a characterization widely criticized, and said he did not regret the friendship overall because of the contacts it had brought, before later expressing regret in subsequent statements. He said he had "no recollection" of meeting Giuffre.[^11]
Andrew also said he had "a peculiar medical condition" that meant he did not sweat at the time, which he attributed to an adrenaline overdose dating to the Falklands War, in response to Giuffre's description of him perspiring at the Tramp nightclub. He described his stay at Epstein's home after the 2008 conviction as a decision he made because it was "convenient," a characterization widely criticized, and said he did not regret the friendship overall because of the contacts it had brought, before later expressing regret in subsequent statements. He said he had "no recollection" of meeting Giuffre.[^16]
The interview was widely characterized as damaging to Andrew. Within days, on November 20, 2019, he announced he was stepping back from public royal duties "for the foreseeable future," saying his association with Epstein had become "a major disruption to my family's work." He said he continued to "unequivocally regret" the association, denied Giuffre's allegations, and said he was willing to assist any appropriate law enforcement agency if required. A Netflix dramatization, *Scoop*, and other accounts later reconstructed the negotiation and conduct of the interview.[^1][^11]
The interview was widely characterized as damaging to Andrew. Within days, on November 20, 2019, he announced he was stepping back from public royal duties "for the foreseeable future," saying his association with Epstein had become "a major disruption to my family's work." He said he continued to "unequivocally regret" the association, denied Giuffre's allegations, and said he was willing to assist any appropriate law enforcement agency if required. A Netflix dramatization, *Scoop*, and other accounts later reconstructed the negotiation and conduct of the interview.[^1][^16]
### The 2021 Lawsuit and 2022 Settlement
On August 9, 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew, captioned against "Prince Andrew, Duke of York, a/k/a Andrew Albert Christian Edward, in his personal capacity," in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|Southern District of New York]], [[Giuffre v. Prince Andrew]] (No. 1:21-cv-06702), alleging he had sexually abused her on three occasions when she was 17, including at Maxwell's London home, at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, and on Little St. James. The suit was brought under New York's Child Victims Act, which had temporarily revived expired civil claims. Andrew strenuously denied the allegations and sought dismissal.[^2][^14]
On August 9, 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew, captioned against "Prince Andrew, Duke of York, a/k/a Andrew Albert Christian Edward, in his personal capacity," in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|Southern District of New York]], [[Giuffre v. Prince Andrew]] (No. 1:21-cv-06702), alleging he had sexually abused her on three occasions when she was 17, including at Maxwell's London home, at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, and on Little St. James. The suit was brought under New York's Child Victims Act, which had temporarily revived expired civil claims. Andrew strenuously denied the allegations and sought dismissal.[^2][^19]
Andrew's lawyers argued that a 2009 settlement Giuffre had signed with Epstein, under which Epstein paid her 500,000 dollars and she released a category of potential defendants, also barred her claim against Andrew. Andrew's lawyers placed the 2009 agreement before the court as Exhibit A to an October 29, 2021 request for judicial notice. The agreement, which resolved Giuffre's Florida suit as Jane Doe No. 102, released Epstein's agents and employees and "any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant," and recited that it was made "pursuant to and in fulfillment of" Epstein's obligations under his 2007 non-prosecution agreement with the [[U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida]].[^15] On December 16, 2021, Judge [[Lewis Kaplan|Lewis Kaplan]] took judicial notice of the agreement but declined to notice Andrew's other proposed exhibits (ECF No. 57), and on December 31, 2021 he denied Andrew's request to depose Giuffre and take "limited jurisdictional discovery" before ruling on the motion (ECF No. 61). After the 2009 agreement was unsealed on January 3, 2022, Kaplan signed an opinion on January 11, 2022, filed January 12 (ECF No. 64), holding that the release language was ambiguous and did not clearly cover Andrew, and denying the motion to dismiss "in all respects." He added that "nothing in this opinion or previously in these proceedings properly may be construed as indicating a view with respect to the truth of the charges or countercharges or as to the intention of the parties in entering into the 2009 Agreement." The 2009 document did not name Andrew.[^16][^17]
Andrew's lawyers argued that a 2009 settlement Giuffre had signed with Epstein, under which Epstein paid her 500,000 dollars and she released a category of potential defendants, also barred her claim against Andrew. Andrew's lawyers placed the 2009 agreement before the court as Exhibit A to an October 29, 2021 request for judicial notice. The agreement, which resolved Giuffre's Florida suit as Jane Doe No. 102, released Epstein's agents and employees and "any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant," and recited that it was made "pursuant to and in fulfillment of" Epstein's obligations under his 2007 non-prosecution agreement with the [[U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida]].[^20] On December 16, 2021, Judge [[Lewis Kaplan|Lewis Kaplan]] took judicial notice of the agreement but declined to notice Andrew's other proposed exhibits (ECF No. 57), and on December 31, 2021 he denied Andrew's request to depose Giuffre and take "limited jurisdictional discovery" before ruling on the motion (ECF No. 61). After the 2009 agreement was unsealed on January 3, 2022, Kaplan signed an opinion on January 11, 2022, filed January 12 (ECF No. 64), holding that the release language was ambiguous and did not clearly cover Andrew, and denying the motion to dismiss "in all respects." He added that "nothing in this opinion or previously in these proceedings properly may be construed as indicating a view with respect to the truth of the charges or countercharges or as to the intention of the parties in entering into the 2009 Agreement." The 2009 document did not name Andrew.[^21][^22]
The day after Kaplan's ruling, on January 13, 2022, Buckingham Palace announced with the Queen's "approval and agreement" that Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages, including his role as Colonel of the [[Grenadier Guards|Grenadier Guards]], were being returned to the Queen and that Andrew would no longer use the style His Royal Highness in any official capacity, defending the case thereafter as a private citizen.[^18] On February 15, 2022, the parties filed notice of a settlement before Kaplan. The filing stated that Andrew intended to make "a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights," that "Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character," and that he "accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks." The settlement contained no admission of liability, and the filing stated that the sum was not being disclosed. Press reporting estimated the value in the range of 12 million pounds, with other reporting citing figures around 7.5 million pounds; the actual amount was not made public. The stipulation of dismissal, filed and so-ordered on March 8, 2022 (ECF No. 83), recites "the parties' settlement agreement dated February 12, 2022," three days before the public notice.[^2][^14][^16] After Giuffre's death in April 2025, the Western Australian proceedings over her estate described its assets as including what remained of the settlement, reported at 12 million pounds.[^19]
The day after Kaplan's ruling, on January 13, 2022, Buckingham Palace announced with the Queen's "approval and agreement" that Andrew's military affiliations and royal patronages, including his role as Colonel of the [[Grenadier Guards|Grenadier Guards]], were being returned to the Queen and that Andrew would no longer use the style His Royal Highness in any official capacity, defending the case thereafter as a private citizen.[^23] On February 15, 2022, the parties filed notice of a settlement before Kaplan. The filing stated that Andrew intended to make "a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights," that "Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character," and that he "accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks." The settlement contained no admission of liability, and the filing stated that the sum was not being disclosed. Press reporting estimated the value in the range of 12 million pounds, with other reporting citing figures around 7.5 million pounds; the actual amount was not made public. The stipulation of dismissal, filed and so-ordered on March 8, 2022 (ECF No. 83), recites "the parties' settlement agreement dated February 12, 2022," three days before the public notice.[^2][^19][^21] After Giuffre's death in April 2025, the Western Australian proceedings over her estate described its assets as including what remained of the settlement, reported at 12 million pounds.[^24]
### Removal of Titles
On October 17, 2025, Andrew announced he would no longer use his title of Duke of York or the other honors conferred on him, while continuing to deny the allegations against him. The announcement came amid renewed attention following Giuffre's death and the imminent publication of her posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl, and after reporting on emails and on the terms of his occupation of Royal Lodge.[^20]
On October 17, 2025, Andrew announced he would no longer use his title of Duke of York or the other honors conferred on him, while continuing to deny the allegations against him. The announcement came amid renewed attention following Giuffre's death and the imminent publication of her posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl, and after reporting on emails and on the terms of his occupation of Royal Lodge.[^25]
On October 30, 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had that day "initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew." A Warrant under the King's Royal Sign Manual dated October 30, 2025, directed the Secretary of State to cause the Duke of York to be removed from the Roll of the Peerage with immediate effect. Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated November 3, 2025, declared that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would no longer be entitled to hold the style "Royal Highness" or the titular dignity of "Prince." The actions were effected through the royal prerogative and published in the London Gazette by the Crown Office, rather than through Parliament.[^21][^22]
On October 30, 2025, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had that day "initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew." A Warrant under the King's Royal Sign Manual dated October 30, 2025, directed the Secretary of State to cause the Duke of York to be removed from the Roll of the Peerage with immediate effect. Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated November 3, 2025, declared that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would no longer be entitled to hold the style "Royal Highness" or the titular dignity of "Prince." The actions were effected through the royal prerogative and published in the London Gazette by the Crown Office, rather than through Parliament.[^26][^27]
The House of Commons Library noted that removal from the Roll of the Peerage and the withdrawal of the style and dignity by Letters Patent are distinct from abolishing the Dukedom of York itself, which is a hereditary peerage that can be removed only by an Act of Parliament. Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and [[Princess Eugenie|Princess Eugenie]], retained their princess styles, conferred under a separate 1917 Letters Patent. The Palace announced Andrew would leave [[Royal Lodge|Royal Lodge]], his 30-room residence in Windsor Great Park held under a long lease, and relocate to privately funded accommodation on the [[Sandringham|Sandringham]] estate in Norfolk. He continued to deny the allegations throughout.[^21][^22]
The House of Commons Library noted that removal from the Roll of the Peerage and the withdrawal of the style and dignity by Letters Patent are distinct from abolishing the Dukedom of York itself, which is a hereditary peerage that can be removed only by an Act of Parliament. Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and [[Princess Eugenie|Princess Eugenie]], retained their princess styles, conferred under a separate 1917 Letters Patent. The Palace announced Andrew would leave [[Royal Lodge|Royal Lodge]], his 30-room residence in Windsor Great Park held under a long lease, and relocate to privately funded accommodation on the [[Sandringham|Sandringham]] estate in Norfolk. He continued to deny the allegations throughout.[^26][^27]
### The 2026 Arrest
After the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]]'s January 2026 release of [[Epstein Files|Epstein files]] under the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]], [[Thames Valley Police]] said it was examining allegations that Andrew had sent confidential trade reports to Epstein during his time as the United Kingdom's trade envoy. On February 19, 2026, his sixty-sixth birthday, the force arrested "a man in his sixties from Norfolk" on "suspicion of misconduct in public office" and searched addresses in [[Berkshire]] and [[Norfolk]]. Assistant Chief Constable [[Oliver Wright]] said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office." Andrew was released that evening and remained under investigation. King Charles III, confirming that the arrested man was his brother, said: "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course." Andrew did not respond to requests for comment; he has previously denied any wrongdoing relating to Epstein.[^23] Four days later the Metropolitan Police arrested Peter Mandelson on suspicion of the same offense, over messages suggesting he had passed government information to Epstein while business secretary in 2009 and 2010.[^5]
After the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]]'s January 2026 release of [[Epstein Files|Epstein files]] under the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]], [[Thames Valley Police]] said it was examining allegations that Andrew had sent confidential trade reports to Epstein during his time as the United Kingdom's trade envoy. On February 19, 2026, his sixty-sixth birthday, the force arrested "a man in his sixties from Norfolk" on "suspicion of misconduct in public office" and searched addresses in [[Berkshire]] and [[Norfolk]]. Assistant Chief Constable [[Oliver Wright]] said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office." Andrew was released that evening and remained under investigation. King Charles III, confirming that the arrested man was his brother, said: "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course." Andrew did not respond to requests for comment; he has previously denied any wrongdoing relating to Epstein.[^28] Four days later the Metropolitan Police arrested Peter Mandelson on suspicion of the same offense, over messages suggesting he had passed government information to Epstein while business secretary in 2009 and 2010.[^10]
@ -113,23 +137,28 @@ After the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]]'s January 2
[^1]: "How Prince Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein unraveled," reporting compiled by *AOL* and *BBC,* 2019-2025. https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/av/uk-68741324
[^2]: "Prince Andrew settles with Virginia Giuffre in sexual abuse lawsuit," *WUSF / NPR,* February 15, 2022. https://www.wusf.org/2022-02-15/prince-andrew-settles-with-virginia-giuffre-in-sexual-abuse-lawsuit
[^3]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02411832, DataSet 11, email chain between Peggy Siegal and George Stephanopoulos, "Thursday small dinner for Prince Andrew," December 1-3, 2010. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02411832.pdf
[^4]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02808715, Court Records, Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., No. 22-cv-10904 (S.D.N.Y.), letter motion to Judge Jed S. Rakoff seeking leave to reopen depositions, June 7, 2023, p. 3. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/Court%20Records/Government%20of%20the%20United%20States%20Virgin%20Islands%20v.%20JPMorgan%20Chase%20Bank%2C%20N.A.%2C%20No.%20122-cv-10904%20(S.D.N.Y.%202022)/EFTA02808715.pdf
[^5]: "British police arrest former ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties." *Associated Press,* via *PBS NewsHour,* February 23, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/british-police-arrest-former-ambassador-to-the-u-s-peter-mandelson-in-probe-into-epstein-ties
[^6]: "Dubai-based DP World replaces chief named in Epstein files." *Al Jazeera,* February 13, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/13/logistics-giant-dp-world-replaces-chief-named-in-epstein-files
[^7]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00699038, DataSet 9, email to jeevacation@gmail.com, sender redacted, January 6, 2015. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00699038.pdf
[^8]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00149598, DataSet 9, internal FBI New York email chain, "Fwd: FW: Prince Andrew," June 8, 2020. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00149598.pdf
[^9]: "Photograph of Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell," reporting on the March 2001 image, *The Mirror US,* 2025. https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/uncropped-prince-andrew-photo-mystery-1575570
[^10]: Adriana Gallardo and Leila Fadel, report on Virginia Roberts Giuffre's memoir *Nobody's Girl*, *NPR,* October 20, 2025 (updated October 23, 2025). https://www.npr.org/2025/10/20/nx-s1-5514834/epstein-accuser-virginia-roberts-giuffre-nobodys-girl-memoir
[^11]: "Inside Prince Andrew's explosive Newsnight interview," *Hello,* recounting the November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/864943/princes-andrew-newsnight-most-notable-moments/
[^12]: "Details on Prince Andrew allegations emerge from new Jeffrey Epstein documents, but no U.K. police investigation," *CBS News,* January 5, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-andrew-allegations-jeffrey-epstein-documents-no-uk-police-investigation/
[^13]: "Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Accomplices: Where Are Sarah Kellen, Nadia Marcinkova, Adriana Ross and Lesley Groff?," *The Daily Beast.* https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-alleged-accomplices-where-are-sarah-kellen-nadia-marcinkova-adriana-ross-and-lesley-groff/
[^14]: "Lawyers say settlement reached in Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against Prince Andrew," *PBS NewsHour,* February 15, 2022. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/lawyers-say-settlement-reached-in-virginia-giuffres-lawsuit-against-prince-andrew
[^15]: Settlement Agreement and General Release, Jane Doe No. 102 v. Jeffrey Epstein, No. 09-80656-CIV-Marra/Johnson (S.D. Fla.), filed as Exhibit A, ECF No. 32-1, in Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, No. 1:21-cv-06702 (S.D.N.Y.), and the subject of Prince Andrew's Request for Judicial Notice, ECF No. 35 (Oct. 29, 2021). https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.564713/gov.uscourts.nysd.564713.32.1.pdf
[^16]: Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, No. 1:21-cv-06702-LAK (S.D.N.Y.), Order, ECF No. 57 (Dec. 16, 2021); Order, ECF No. 61 (Dec. 31, 2021); Opinion re Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 64 (signed Jan. 11, 2022, filed Jan. 12, 2022); Stipulation and Order of Dismissal, ECF No. 83 (March 8, 2022). https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60119368/giuffre-v-prince-andrew/
[^17]: "Prince Andrew loses bid to dismiss lawsuit by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre," *CNBC,* January 12, 2022 (Kaplan ruling on the 2009 release). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/12/judge-rejects-prince-andrews-bid-to-dismiss-epstein-accuser-virginia-giuffres-lawsuit.html
[^18]: "Prince Andrew is stripped of his royal patronages and military titles," *NPR,* January 13, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/01/13/1072779687/prince-andrew-royal-privileges-queen
[^19]: "Legal battle begins over Virginia Giuffre's multi-million-dollar estate," *ABC News (Australia),* November 28, 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-28/virginia-giuffre-epstein-survivor-legal-battle-over-estate/106075194
[^20]: "Prince Andrew to give up Duke of York title and honors amid Jeffrey Epstein developments," *NBC News,* October 17, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/prince-andrew-give-duke-york-title-honors-jeffrey-epstein-developments-rcna238242
[^21]: "King Charles formally removes Andrew's prince title and HRH style after Epstein scandal," *AOL,* November 2025. https://www.aol.com/articles/king-charles-formally-removes-andrew-150223876.html
[^22]: House of Commons Library, "The removal of titles and honours," CBP-10370, 2025. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10370/
[^23]: Frayer, Lauren, and Leila Fadel. "U.K.'s ex-Prince Andrew is released after his arrest over Epstein revelations." *NPR,* February 19, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719098/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct-in-public-office
[^4]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00873540 and EFTA00873541, DataSet 9, emails of July 10, 2013 (16:12 and 16:35 UTC). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00873540.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00873541.pdf
[^5]: Companies House, "URRAMOOR LIMITED," company number 08424933, persons with significant control. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08424933/persons-with-significant-control ; U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02573653 to EFTA02573656, DataSet 11, "Re: HL Loan - CD/SM call note 8.8.13," August 9, 2013, quoted with the line-break characters of the text layer omitted. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02573653.pdf
[^6]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01107738, DataSet 9, "Term Sheet (8/29/13 Preliminary Draft for Discussion Purposes Only)"; EFTA01958492, EFTA01958705, EFTA01958916, EFTA01958960 and EFTA01959027, DataSet 10, thread "Term Sheet from Cantor Fitzgerald to Mr. T," September 2, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01107738.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01958492.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01958916.pdf
[^7]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01141453 to EFTA01141460, DataSet 9, "Agreement for Referrals" (draft), Exhibit B; EFTA01949796 and EFTA01949827, DataSet 10, emails of November 16, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01141453.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01949827.pdf
[^8]: Verity, Andy, Rob Byrne and Ben Milne. "How US commerce secretary's Epstein links were uncovered by British whistleblower." *BBC News,* July 14, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q28dlyxrzo
[^9]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02808715, Court Records, Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., No. 22-cv-10904 (S.D.N.Y.), letter motion to Judge Jed S. Rakoff seeking leave to reopen depositions, June 7, 2023, p. 3. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/Court%20Records/Government%20of%20the%20United%20States%20Virgin%20Islands%20v.%20JPMorgan%20Chase%20Bank%2C%20N.A.%2C%20No.%20122-cv-10904%20(S.D.N.Y.%202022)/EFTA02808715.pdf
[^10]: "British police arrest former ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties." *Associated Press,* via *PBS NewsHour,* February 23, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/british-police-arrest-former-ambassador-to-the-u-s-peter-mandelson-in-probe-into-epstein-ties
[^11]: "Dubai-based DP World replaces chief named in Epstein files." *Al Jazeera,* February 13, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/13/logistics-giant-dp-world-replaces-chief-named-in-epstein-files
[^12]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00699038, DataSet 9, email to jeevacation@gmail.com, sender redacted, January 6, 2015. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00699038.pdf
[^13]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00149598, DataSet 9, internal FBI New York email chain, "Fwd: FW: Prince Andrew," June 8, 2020. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00149598.pdf
[^14]: "Photograph of Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell," reporting on the March 2001 image, *The Mirror US,* 2025. https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/uncropped-prince-andrew-photo-mystery-1575570
[^15]: Adriana Gallardo and Leila Fadel, report on Virginia Roberts Giuffre's memoir *Nobody's Girl*, *NPR,* October 20, 2025 (updated October 23, 2025). https://www.npr.org/2025/10/20/nx-s1-5514834/epstein-accuser-virginia-roberts-giuffre-nobodys-girl-memoir
[^16]: "Inside Prince Andrew's explosive Newsnight interview," *Hello,* recounting the November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/864943/princes-andrew-newsnight-most-notable-moments/
[^17]: "Details on Prince Andrew allegations emerge from new Jeffrey Epstein documents, but no U.K. police investigation," *CBS News,* January 5, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-andrew-allegations-jeffrey-epstein-documents-no-uk-police-investigation/
[^18]: "Jeffrey Epstein's Alleged Accomplices: Where Are Sarah Kellen, Nadia Marcinkova, Adriana Ross and Lesley Groff?," *The Daily Beast.* https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epsteins-alleged-accomplices-where-are-sarah-kellen-nadia-marcinkova-adriana-ross-and-lesley-groff/
[^19]: "Lawyers say settlement reached in Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit against Prince Andrew," *PBS NewsHour,* February 15, 2022. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/lawyers-say-settlement-reached-in-virginia-giuffres-lawsuit-against-prince-andrew
[^20]: Settlement Agreement and General Release, Jane Doe No. 102 v. Jeffrey Epstein, No. 09-80656-CIV-Marra/Johnson (S.D. Fla.), filed as Exhibit A, ECF No. 32-1, in Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, No. 1:21-cv-06702 (S.D.N.Y.), and the subject of Prince Andrew's Request for Judicial Notice, ECF No. 35 (Oct. 29, 2021). https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.564713/gov.uscourts.nysd.564713.32.1.pdf
[^21]: Giuffre v. Prince Andrew, No. 1:21-cv-06702-LAK (S.D.N.Y.), Order, ECF No. 57 (Dec. 16, 2021); Order, ECF No. 61 (Dec. 31, 2021); Opinion re Motion to Dismiss, ECF No. 64 (signed Jan. 11, 2022, filed Jan. 12, 2022); Stipulation and Order of Dismissal, ECF No. 83 (March 8, 2022). https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60119368/giuffre-v-prince-andrew/
[^22]: "Prince Andrew loses bid to dismiss lawsuit by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre," *CNBC,* January 12, 2022 (Kaplan ruling on the 2009 release). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/12/judge-rejects-prince-andrews-bid-to-dismiss-epstein-accuser-virginia-giuffres-lawsuit.html
[^23]: "Prince Andrew is stripped of his royal patronages and military titles," *NPR,* January 13, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/01/13/1072779687/prince-andrew-royal-privileges-queen
[^24]: "Legal battle begins over Virginia Giuffre's multi-million-dollar estate," *ABC News (Australia),* November 28, 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-28/virginia-giuffre-epstein-survivor-legal-battle-over-estate/106075194
[^25]: "Prince Andrew to give up Duke of York title and honors amid Jeffrey Epstein developments," *NBC News,* October 17, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/united-kingdom/prince-andrew-give-duke-york-title-honors-jeffrey-epstein-developments-rcna238242
[^26]: "King Charles formally removes Andrew's prince title and HRH style after Epstein scandal," *AOL,* November 2025. https://www.aol.com/articles/king-charles-formally-removes-andrew-150223876.html
[^27]: House of Commons Library, "The removal of titles and honours," CBP-10370, 2025. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10370/
[^28]: Frayer, Lauren, and Leila Fadel. "U.K.'s ex-Prince Andrew is released after his arrest over Epstein revelations." *NPR,* February 19, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719098/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct-in-public-office

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@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
---
category: "Business & Finance"
tags:
- Person
- SimonAndriesz
- Whistleblower
- BGC
- CantorFitzgerald
- HowardLutnick
- JeffreyEpstein
- FBI
- CFTC
- EpsteinFiles
alias:
- Simon Andriesz
summary: "Simon Andriesz was a British former BGC managing director whose October 14, 2020 call to the FBI about Howard Lutnick appears in the Epstein files and whose death The Banker reported on October 2, 2026."
location: "Cornwall, England"
relations:
- type: employed_by
with: "[[BGC Group]]"
end: 2017
role: "described by the BBC as a managing director until his dismissal in 2017; in the FBI complaint form, responsible for reviewing, reporting and compliance for all of North America"
fn: 5
- type: reported_to
with: "[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]"
start: 2020-10-14
role: "National Threat Operations Center telephone complaint alleging money laundering by Howard Lutnick via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald (Guardian 681124 NY)"
fn: 2
- type: reported
with: "[[Howard Lutnick]]"
start: 2020-10-14
role: "allegations of fraud, money laundering and Ponzi schemes made in the FBI complaint; denied by BGC as 'categorically false'"
fn: 2
- type: named_in
with: "[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]"
start: 2021-02-16
role: 'FD-302 (50D-NY-3027571, serial 593) of a telephone interview of February 16, 2021; the interviewee's name is redacted throughout and the surname "ANDREISZ" appears once, in a passage on charity-day trading'
fn: 11
- type: informed
with: "[[House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]]"
start: 2026
role: "gave members documents from the released Epstein files before Lutnick's May 2026 interview, according to the BBC"
fn: 3
- type: spoke_at
with: "[[Transparency Task Force]]"
start: 2026-07-21
role: "online event on the Financial Conduct Authority and whistleblower protection"
fn: 6
created: 2026-10-04
updated: 2026-10-04
---
Simon Andriesz was a British financial-markets professional who worked for [[BGC Group]] (called BGC Partners in the BBC's account), part of the [[Cantor Fitzgerald]] group, and who told the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] in October 2020, according to an FBI complaint form, that he believed he had supporting documents which could link the firms' chief executive, [[Howard Lutnick]], to [[Jeffrey Epstein]] and [[Ghislaine Maxwell]]. In July 2026 he told the [[BBC]] that he had found a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and an address labeled "HWL" about the company [[AdFin Solutions]]. [[The Banker]] reported on October 2, 2026 that he had died at the age of 57.[^1][^2][^3][^4]
### Career as described by named sources
The Banker described him as a "former British banker" who "spent more than 35 years working in financial markets" and who "was previously a managing director at Wall Street firm BGC Group where Lutnick, now the US commerce secretary, was chief executive officer."[^1] The BBC wrote that he was "previously a managing director at a Wall Street firm," that he worked for "BGC Partners," that in 2016 he "had raised concerns internally about accounting irregularities at the firm," and that he "was sacked in 2017." The BBC reported that he lived in a Cornish seaside village.[^5] The [[Transparency Task Force]] wrote that he "spent 35 years in the securities industry."[^6] A compilation of FBI Guardian complaints records "Andriesz, calling from the United Kingdom, previously worked for BGC Financial (BGC) and Can[tor Fitzgerald]," and the FBI complaint form of 2021 records the caller as "responsible for reviewing, reporting, and compliance for all of North America."[^2][^7]
BGC told the BBC that his allegations "lacked credibility" and were "categorically false," that the claims had been investigated by authorities in several jurisdictions which, according to BGC, had not substantiated them, that it "denies retaliating against Andriesz," and that it has had no involvement with him since his departure other than responding to litigation he initiated. The BBC reported that BGC "maintains Andriesz's employment was terminated after he refused to follow medical advice, declined to perform essential job duties, rejected reasonable accommodation, and ultimately abandoned his role."[^5]
### The CFTC order of November 2019
On November 22, 2019 the [[Commodity Futures Trading Commission]] announced in release 8083-19 an order requiring BGC Financial, L.P. to pay a $3 million civil monetary penalty "for numerous supervision, reporting, and recordkeeping violations spanning over five years." The order finds that from at least 2014 to March 2019 BGC "failed to establish an adequate supervisory system," including failures to follow its policies on brokers' use of personal cell phones, that in 2016 BGC "lost nearly four months of voice recordings for thousands of brokered block trades," that it did not adequately disclose recordkeeping noncompliance in its 2015 and 2016 chief compliance officer reports, and that it did not notify the commission of a [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] investigation until "more than four years after BGC was aware of it and only after a $1.25 million settlement was reached."[^8]
The release does not name a whistleblower. The BBC wrote that "some of his allegations later led to BGC being ordered to pay a $3m (£2.24m) penalty by the US derivatives regulator for 'numerous supervision, reporting, and record-keeping violations,'" and that he won "a financial award of $420,000 (£313,000) for his whistleblowing from the US regulator."[^5] The Transparency Task Force wrote that the commission "made him a formal whistleblower award and, in a separate enforcement action, imposed a $3 million sanction on the firm."[^6]
### The October 14, 2020 FBI complaint
At 9:16:24 a.m. Eastern Time on October 14, 2020 a caller telephoned the FBI's [[National Threat Operations Center]] to report "alleged money laundering by Howard Lutnick via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald." The FBI recorded the call on an FD-71A Guardian complaint form dated April 23, 2021 (Guardian 681124 NY), filed under a money-laundering zero file and case 50D-NY-3027571, "EPSTEIN, JEFFREY; CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING." The caller's name is redacted in that document, which was released by the [[United States Department of Justice]] as EFTA01249210.[^2] The name "Simon Andriesz" appears in a separate release, EFTA01684300, a printout of Guardian complaints, in the line giving the call time and in the fragments "Andriesz, calling from the United Kingdom, previously worked for BGC Financial (BGC) and Can[tor Fitzgerald]" and "Andriesz uncovered fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, and regulat[ory breaches]."[^7]
The form records the caller as saying that he "uncovered fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, and regulatory breaches" by BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald, "so he became a whistleblower," and that BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald "received large fines and there are 'live cases' still occurring in the United Kingdom." It records his statements that Lutnick was using a "global Ponzi share" scheme "involving over 3,500 BGC employees who are forced to contribute 10% of their earnings," that Lutnick was "deeply rooted to the royal family," that he used his charities as a "smokescreen," that he "believes he has supporting documents which could link Lutnick to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell," and that "Epstein also sold Lutnick a house for $10 dollars through a trust fund, which was then sold for millions shortly after prior to the money going overseas." The caller "stated he has multiple regulatory reporting documents he can provide to an agent to substantiate his claims." The form records database queries on Lutnick ("26 results in the NY division case files," including a restricted closed money-laundering case) and the note "Queries were not conducted on Epstein and Maxwell due to the sensitive nature of the case."[^2] The BBC wrote that "the FBI did not investigate these accusations."[^5]
An email dated July 24, 2025, in a chain titled "Epstein - Cellmate Interview," lists under the heading "Howard Lutnick": "Simon Andriesz reported that Lutnick made his money through Ponzi schemes and money laundering. Lutnick and Epstein were neighbors and Epstein sold Lutnick a home for $10 which was then sold for millions." The same entry appears in three further released documents, EFTA01648951, EFTA01656173 and EFTA01660622.[^9]
A second FBI intake form, marked "UNCLASSIFIED" and dated October 19, 2020 (five days after the call of October 14), bears the same case ID, 50D-NY-3027571, and the caption "(U) EPSTEIN, JEFFREY; CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING." It records the time of a call to the National Threat Operations Center as 11:43 AM Eastern Time. The name of the person who called is redacted. The form records that the person "acted as an internal whistleblower after witnessing some financial irregularities," that he "has documentation he is willing to provide to the FBI," that he "claims that Cantor Fitzgerald retaliated against him after he was a whistleblower," and that he "has also submitted this documentation to the [[Internal Revenue Service]]." It states that he "believes some of the suspicious financial activities could be related to Epstein's case."[^10]
An FD-302 in case 50D-NY-3027571 (serial 593) records a telephone interview on February 16, 2021, entered April 5, 2021 and drafted March 17, 2021, with an interviewee whose name is redacted throughout. It records that he "had been in the securities business for 32 years," that he "was at" a redacted firm "from 2012 to 2017," and that he "held a Series 30 license," and refers to "the fraud allegations [redacted] made in his initial complaint to the FBI." The one place where a surname appears is a sentence on the second page, in a passage on the firm's charity day: "ANDREISZ advised the day of the charity day trading would shift if the publicized day was not a successful trading day." The third page records that the interviewee "was working with the COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION (CFTC) and he was eligible for their whistleblower program," and an agent note that after the interview a redacted name "contacted SA [redacted] telephonically asked if he could provide her contact information to the CFTC." The first page carries the legend "This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI." Each page carries the legend "SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER PARAGRAPHS 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 17."[^11]
An FBI email of January 30, 2025, sent under the subject "RE: Expedite ARMS Reach - Howard William Lutnick" (followed in the subject line by the classification suffix "UNCLASSIFIED") and marked "Classification: UNCLASSIFIED" and "Transitory," in reply to a vetting request from the Enterprise Vetting Center concerning Howard Lutnick, states: "This was an intake interview related to the Guardian in serial 196 where HOWARD LUTNICK was accused of fraud and money laundering. We did not open an investigation as a result of these allegations." The email does not name the person who made the accusation.[^12]
At the House Oversight interview of May 6, 2026, a questioner said the committee understood "through public reporting and records, that an Epstein-affiliated trust had owned that townhome that you moved into prior to you" and asked whether Epstein had any role in the sale. Lutnick answered: "No. I bought my townhouse from someone ... who owned it. So Epstein did not own the house. So I don't know what that's in reference to."[^13]
### The BBC reporting of July 14, 2026
The BBC published a report by Andy Verity, Rob Byrne and Ben Milne on July 14, 2026, the day [[BBC Radio 4]]'s [[File on 4|File on 4 Investigates]] broadcast an episode titled "[[Epstein Files]]: Lutnick, the Royals and the British Whistleblower." The BBC wrote that Andriesz "discovered an email chain from 2018 in which Lutnick and Epstein had discussed the prospects of a start-up business they were both involved in." Andriesz said, "Everyone was searching 'Lutnick'"; the BBC wrote that he knew Cantor Fitzgerald executives preferred initials, searched for "HWL" and found the exchange in which Epstein asked the HWL account "what do you think the prospects for adfin are?" and the reply read "Producing revenue finally. This is their year." Andriesz gave the finding to members of the [[House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Oversight Committee]] before Lutnick's May 2026 interview. The BBC reported that Lutnick told the committee that, to the best of his knowledge, he learned only in 2026 that Epstein had been an investor in the firm.[^3] The exchange is EFTA01050772.[^14]
The BBC also reported that Andriesz found in the files that one of Lutnick's firms had made plans in 2013 to go into business with the then Prince Andrew, [[Prince Andrew|Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor]]. Andriesz told File on 4 Investigates: "What it involved was a loan to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of £1m... to basically buy a prince." The BBC wrote that under the proposed terms £1 million would be loaned to a firm controlled by the prince, "which would then be bound to do business exclusively with Cantor Fitzgerald," that advisers to both Lutnick and the former prince discussed the deal from August to November 2013, that Epstein warned the prince's business aide [[David Stern]] against it, and that it "came to nothing." Cantor Fitzgerald "did not deny the talks took place but told the BBC it did not go into business with the former prince."[^3]
The BBC reported the [[United States Department of Commerce|Commerce Department]]'s response that the allegations were "a desperate partisan distraction from the historic work of this Administration" with "no evidence of wrongdoing or legitimate cause for concern," and a [[White House]] statement on behalf of Lutnick: "The BBC's pathetic and desperate attempt to slander Secretary Lutnick will do nothing to change the fact that he has been the most consequential Commerce Secretary in modern history." It quoted Andriesz: "I'm exposing Howard Lutnick's relationship, financial links, with Jeffrey Epstein, and there's no interest."[^3]
### The Transparency Task Force event
The Transparency Task Force, a [[United Kingdom]] campaign group founded by [[Andy Agathangelou]], held an online event on July 21, 2026 titled "The Simon Andriesz Story; and the Role of the Financial Conduct Authority." Its announcement said he would "speak publicly for the first time about the Financial Conduct Authority's alleged failure to protect him from retaliation," and quoted him: "when I repeatedly warned the FCA, including through direct written appeals to Chief Executive [[Nikhil Rathi]] and senior enforcement leaders [[Steve Smart]] and [[Therese Chambers]], that the retaliation was escalating and that my family and I were in crisis, it took no effective action to protect me." The announcement stated that his FBI file was "now public as part of the January 2026 release under the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]]," that [[HM Revenue and Customs]] "issued a £96 million determination concerning the same partnership tax arrangements that Mr Andriesz says he had been reporting since 2017," that the [[Financial Conduct Authority]]'s response was "a Supervision Order," and that an FCA official had told him he had lost whistleblower protection, advice the announcement says the FCA later accepted was wrong and apologised for.[^6]
### Death
The Banker published on October 2, 2026 an article by Chris Newlands headed "Whistleblower who flagged Lutnick's links to Epstein dies," which stated that Andriesz "has died by suicide," that he was 57, and that his death "was confirmed by Andy Agathangelou, the founder of campaign group Transparency Task Force." Agathangelou was quoted: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Simon Andriesz, a valued member of our community, passed away last week." The article repeated the BBC's account of the 2018 email chain and Lutnick's statement that "I unequivocally condemn the conduct attributed to Jeffrey Epstein and everyone who participated in his illegal activities."[^1][^4]
### Footnotes
[^1]: Chris Newlands, "Whistleblower who flagged Lutnick's links to Epstein dies," *The Banker,* October 2, 2026. https://www.thebanker.com/content/02286d53-0338-42ef-996d-5f7712b9f133
[^2]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249210, DataSet 9, FBI FD-71A Guardian Complaint Form, "Alleged Money Laundering by Howard Lutnick via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald," April 23, 2021. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249210.pdf
[^3]: Verity, Byrne and Milne, *BBC News,* July 14, 2026; BBC Radio 4, "Epstein Files: Lutnick, the Royals and the British Whistleblower," File on 4 Investigates, July 14, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q28dlyxrzo ; https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002yx47
[^4]: Newlands, *The Banker,* October 2, 2026.
[^5]: Andy Verity, Rob Byrne and Ben Milne, "How US commerce secretary's Epstein links were uncovered by British whistleblower," *BBC News,* July 14, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q28dlyxrzo
[^6]: Transparency Task Force, "The Simon Andriesz Story; and the Role of the Financial Conduct Authority," event of July 21, 2026. https://transparencytaskforce.org/the-simon-andriesz-story-and-the-role-of-the-financial-conduct-authority/
[^7]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01684300, DataSet 10, compilation of FBI Guardian complaints, pages EFTA01684332, EFTA01684377, EFTA01684392, EFTA01684407 and EFTA01684422. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01684300.pdf
[^8]: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, release 8083-19, "CFTC Orders BGC Financial, L.P. to Pay $3 Million for Supervision, Reporting, and Recordkeeping Violations," November 22, 2019. https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/8083-19
[^9]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01648946 (page 2), DataSet 10, email of July 24, 2025, "Epstein - Cellmate Interview"; EFTA01648951, EFTA01656173 and EFTA01660622, DataSet 10. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01648946.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01648951.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01656173.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01660622.pdf
[^10]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249205, DataSet 9, FBI Intake, October 19, 2020. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249205.pdf
[^11]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249207, DataSet 9, FD-302, 50D-NY-3027571 Serial 593, interview of February 16, 2021 (pages EFTA01249207 to EFTA01249209). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249207.pdf
[^12]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00173881, DataSet 9, email chain "Expedite ARMS Reach - Howard William Lutnick," January 30, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00173881.pdf
[^13]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, p. 30. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^14]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01050772, DataSet 9, email chain "Re: thanks for letting me know," May 28, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01050772.pdf

56
10 - PEOPLE/(H-M)/Christopher Mellon.md
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@ -33,8 +33,13 @@ relations:
start: 2022-09-23
end: 2023-09-15
role: "'Cristopher Mellon' of Laughlintown, Pennsylvania, one of three initial directors of the Alabama corporation The Sol Foundation (AL SOS 001-041-463) on the Certificate of Formation of September 23, 2022, and 'Christopher Mellon' on the Statement of Intent to Dissolve of September 15, 2023; the filings state no occupation"
fn: 25
updated: 2026-10-03
fn: 28
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies]]"
start: 2023-06-26
role: "subject of the video 'Chris Mellon on SCU's Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena Conference (AAPC),' published by the coalition on June 26, 2023"
fn: 19
updated: 2026-10-04
created: 2026-10-03
---
[[Christopher Mellon]] is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and a key strategist in the modern [[Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena]] (UAP) disclosure movement. Coming from a prominent American family (great-grandson of the [[Gulf Oil]] founder and a descendant of Judge [[Thomas Mellon]]; see [[Mellon Family]]),[^1] he has leveraged his extensive experience in intelligence and national security to bring the UAP issue to the forefront of the U.S. Congress and the public.[^2]
@ -51,7 +56,7 @@ Mellon was profoundly disturbed by these revelations, viewing the government's f
### The Legislative Strategy for Disclosure
Following Elizondo's resignation, Mellon became the primary architect of a multi-pronged strategy to force the UAP issue into the open. Recognizing that direct confrontation with the Pentagon was futile, he devised a plan to leverage Congress and the media. He facilitated the transfer of Navy videos later known as "FLIR" (Tic Tac), "[[GIMBAL]]," and "[[GoFast]]" to journalists. The landmark front-page [[New York Times]] story of December 2017, which broke the news of AATIP's existence, carried two of them (FLIR1 and GIMBAL); GOFAST followed in March 2018.[^2][^4] Politico reported in 2021 that the [[Washington Headquarters Services]] declassification division approved the videos "for unlimited distribution" inside the government.[^5] The Office of the Secretary of Defense file released to [[The Black Vault]] under the Freedom of Information Act in August 2019 contains an August 23, 2017 email in which [[Luis Elizondo]] asked Michael Russo of the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review to "consider our request for unrestricted release"; an August 24, 2017 reply from Russo that if the service-level classification authority verified that removing the metadata made the videos unclassified, "please feel free to move forward with release"; and a DD Form 1910 whose publication-data block reads "Not Applicable. Not for publication. Research and analysis ONLY and info sharing with other USG and industry partners for the purposes of developing a database to help identify, analyze and ultimately defeat UAS threats." Joseph Gradisher, a Navy spokesman, said in 2019 that neither the cognizant Navy offices nor the review office had a record of correspondence responding to a request for unrestricted release of the videos in 2017.[^6] The [[Department of Defense]] stated on April 27, 2020 that it had authorized the release of three unclassified Navy videos, which had been circulating in the public domain after "unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017."[^7] Mellon's own account, in the 2020 film *[[The Phenomenon (2020 film)|The Phenomenon]]*, is that he received the videos "in the Pentagon parking lot from a Defense Department official" and "still [has] the packaging."[^8] See [[December 2017 New York Times AATIP Report]].
Following Elizondo's resignation, Mellon became the primary architect of a multi-pronged strategy to force the UAP issue into the open. Recognizing that direct confrontation with the Pentagon was futile, he devised a plan to leverage Congress and the media. He facilitated the transfer of Navy videos later known as "FLIR" (Tic Tac), "[[GIMBAL]]," and "[[GoFast]]" to journalists. The landmark front-page [[New York Times]] story of December 2017, which broke the news of AATIP's existence, carried two of them (FLIR1 and GIMBAL); GOFAST followed in March 2018.[^2][^4] Politico reported in 2021 that the [[Washington Headquarters Services]] declassification division approved the videos "for unlimited distribution" inside the government.[^5] The Office of the Secretary of Defense file released to [[The Black Vault]] under the Freedom of Information Act in August 2019 contains an August 23, 2017 email in which Luis Elizondo asked Michael Russo of the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review to "consider our request for unrestricted release"; an August 24, 2017 reply from Russo that if the service-level classification authority verified that removing the metadata made the videos unclassified, "please feel free to move forward with release"; and a DD Form 1910 whose publication-data block reads "Not Applicable. Not for publication. Research and analysis ONLY and info sharing with other USG and industry partners for the purposes of developing a database to help identify, analyze and ultimately defeat UAS threats." Joseph Gradisher, a Navy spokesman, said in 2019 that neither the cognizant Navy offices nor the review office had a record of correspondence responding to a request for unrestricted release of the videos in 2017.[^6] The [[Department of Defense]] stated on April 27, 2020 that it had authorized the release of three unclassified Navy videos, which had been circulating in the public domain after "unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017."[^7] Mellon's own account, in the 2020 film *[[The Phenomenon (2020 film)|The Phenomenon]]*, is that he received the videos "in the Pentagon parking lot from a Defense Department official" and "still [has] the packaging."[^8] See [[December 2017 New York Times AATIP Report]].
Mellon then focused on a legislative approach, using his deep knowledge of Capitol Hill to engage with key staffers on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees. He and Elizondo worked to educate lawmakers and arrange for them to be briefed directly by credible military eyewitnesses like Commander [[Dave Fravor]] and Lieutenant [[Alex Dietrich]]. Mellon's key strategic insight was to draft specific legislative language that would compel the [[Director of National Intelligence]] to produce an unclassified report on UAP. This language, which he championed through op-eds and private meetings, was eventually included in the committee report accompanying the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, signed into law in December 2020. This led to the landmark June 2021 "Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena."[^2]
@ -71,37 +76,39 @@ The Regulation A offering circular of To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science fil
Mellon was among the speakers at the first [[Sol Foundation]] symposium, November 17 to 18, 2023 in [[Palo Alto, California]], listed in [[The Debrief]]'s account as "former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher Mellon," beside [[Avi Loeb]], [[Jacques Vallee]], [[Diana Walsh Pasulka]], [[Tim Gallaudet]] and [[Karl Nell]].[^15] He signed the November 12, 2024 letter to Congress urging enactment of the review-board provisions of the [[Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act]] as "Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; Former Staff Director, Department of Defense; Senate Select Committee on Intelligence," the signers including [[Garry Nolan]], [[Peter Skafish]] and Luis Elizondo; the letter states that signers joined as individuals and not for their organizations.[^16] The Sol Foundation's website, read October 3, 2026, does not list Mellon among its executive leadership or advisory board, and neither does its 2024 Form 990.[^17]
The Sol Foundation's page for its first symposium, as archived in 2023, lists among its confirmed speakers "Christopher Mellon, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Staff Director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence," and gives the organizers as Garry Nolan, "Sol Foundation Chairman of the Board," and Peter Skafish, "Sol Foundation Director."[^18] On June 26, 2023 the [[Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies]] published a video titled "Chris Mellon on SCU's Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena Conference (AAPC)," whose description reads in part: "Chris spent nearly 20 years in the U.S. Intelligence Community, including serving as the Minority Staff Director of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence under Presidents Clinton and Bush."[^19] The coalition's 2022 conference in [[Huntsville]], Alabama, at which Garry Nolan sat on a June 4 panel, is described on Sol Foundation.[^20]
### Family
*Roll Call* described him in 2003 as "yes, of that Mellon family," 45 years old, "whose great-grandfather started the Gulf Oil Co.," and noted that Rockefeller was "the great-grandson of the man who founded [[Standard Oil]]," under the line "[[Rockefeller family|the Rockefellers]] and Mellons are taking over the Senate Select Intelligence Committee." Bryan Bender of Politico wrote in 2021 that he is "a scion of the [[Pennsylvania]] oil and banking family." Other bearers of the surname include Paul Mellon, a major in the [[Office of Strategic Services]] in Europe, his sister [[Ailsa Mellon Bruce]] and her husband the diplomat [[David K. E. Bruce]], and the publisher and donor Richard Mellon Scaife, who funded the [[Arkansas Project]] against Bill Clinton and sat on the [[Heritage Foundation]] board. No source opened states how these persons are related to Christopher Mellon or that he had dealings with them.[^1][^18]
*Roll Call* described him in 2003 as "yes, of that Mellon family," 45 years old, "whose great-grandfather started the Gulf Oil Co.," and noted that Rockefeller was "the great-grandson of the man who founded [[Standard Oil]]," under the line "[[Rockefeller family|the Rockefellers]] and Mellons are taking over the Senate Select Intelligence Committee." Bryan Bender of Politico wrote in 2021 that he is "a scion of the [[Pennsylvania]] oil and banking family." Other bearers of the surname include Paul Mellon, a major in the [[Office of Strategic Services]] in Europe, his sister [[Ailsa Mellon Bruce]] and her husband the diplomat [[David K. E. Bruce]], and the publisher and donor Richard Mellon Scaife, who funded the [[Arkansas Project]] against Bill Clinton and sat on the [[Heritage Foundation]] board. No source opened states how these persons are related to Christopher Mellon or that he had dealings with them.[^1][^21]
### The placement of the December 2017 article
Per Bender (2021): in 2016 [[Tom DeLonge]] "called me up out of the blue," Mellon said, "and then through him I met Jim and Hal"; Mellon, who kept his clearance, then met Luis Elizondo at a Pentagon briefing; by fall 2017 Mellon "was also a paid adviser to DeLonge's TTSA" and acted as Elizondo's "unofficial public relations manager," who "started dangling the story to the New York Times, POLITICO and several other mainstream outlets." According to Leslie Kean's account to [[Gideon Lewis-Kraus]], on October 4, 2017 Mellon had her called to a hotel bar near the Pentagon where [[Hal Puthoff]], Jim Semivan and Elizondo briefed her; the Times placement followed. Details and denials are on December 2017 New York Times AATIP Report.[^5][^19]
Per Bender (2021): in 2016 [[Tom DeLonge]] "called me up out of the blue," Mellon said, "and then through him I met Jim and Hal"; Mellon, who kept his clearance, then met Luis Elizondo at a Pentagon briefing; by fall 2017 Mellon "was also a paid adviser to DeLonge's TTSA" and acted as Elizondo's "unofficial public relations manager," who "started dangling the story to the New York Times, POLITICO and several other mainstream outlets." According to Leslie Kean's account to [[Gideon Lewis-Kraus]], on October 4, 2017 Mellon had her called to a hotel bar near the Pentagon where [[Hal Puthoff]], Jim Semivan and Elizondo briefed her; the Times placement followed. Details and denials are on December 2017 New York Times AATIP Report.[^5][^22]
### Money and affiliations as recorded
TTSA: paid adviser (Bender); listed as "National Security Affairs Advisor" ([[Keith Kloor|Kloor]], 2019); the company's annual report for 2020 states he resigned from the advisory board in November 2020 (vault page for To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science).[^5][^20] The offering circular dated September 29, 2017 lists "Chris Mellon" first among six Advisory Board members and states that in June 2017 the company granted "employees and advisors" 9,000,000 options and 2,500,000 restricted shares under its stock incentive plan; the text read does not itemize grants by person. No source opened shows a payment from Mellon to TTSA, or the amount he was paid as an adviser.[^3]
TTSA: paid adviser (Bender); listed as "National Security Affairs Advisor" ([[Keith Kloor|Kloor]], 2019); the company's annual report for 2020 states he resigned from the advisory board in November 2020 (vault page for To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science).[^5][^23] The offering circular dated September 29, 2017 lists "Chris Mellon" first among six Advisory Board members and states that in June 2017 the company granted "employees and advisors" 9,000,000 options and 2,500,000 restricted shares under its stock incentive plan; the text read does not itemize grants by person. No source opened shows a payment from Mellon to TTSA, or the amount he was paid as an adviser.[^3]
[[Galileo Project]]: research affiliate from October 30, 2021, with Elizondo ([[Harvard University|Harvard]] release). On April 26, 2024 the Galileo Project announced a 575,000 dollar grant from the [[Richard King Mellon Foundation]] for a third observatory station in [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]] or [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], Pennsylvania, stating that Mellon "was instrumental in stewarding this grant."[^21][^22]
[[Galileo Project]]: research affiliate from October 30, 2021, with Elizondo ([[Harvard University|Harvard]] release). On April 26, 2024 the Galileo Project announced a 575,000 dollar grant from the [[Richard King Mellon Foundation]] for a third observatory station in [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]] or [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland County]], Pennsylvania, stating that Mellon "was instrumental in stewarding this grant."[^24][^25]
The Richard King Mellon Foundation's Form 990-PF for 2024 (EIN 25-1127705), Part XV, lists a grant paid during the year of $575,000 to Harvard University, Boston, with the purpose text "Toward support of Project Argyle." The Foundation's 2024 annual report lists Harvard University, Boston, "Toward support of Project Argyle."[^23]
The Richard King Mellon Foundation's Form 990-PF for 2024 (EIN 25-1127705), Part XV, lists a grant paid during the year of $575,000 to Harvard University, Boston, with the purpose text "Toward support of Project Argyle." The Foundation's 2024 annual report lists Harvard University, Boston, "Toward support of Project Argyle."[^26]
Lobbying and legislation: Lewis-Kraus wrote that the text Marco Rubio added in June 2020 to the 2021 Intelligence Authorization Act, requesting a UAP report from the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, "drew heavily from proposals by Mellon"; Bender wrote that Mellon, "from his perch on the advisory board of DeLonge's company, ... effectively drafted the legislation later adopted by the Senate requesting the UAP report." Mellon's March 9, 2018 *[[Washington Post]]* op-ed was "The military keeps encountering UFOs. Why doesn't the Pentagon care?"[^5][^19][^20]
Lobbying and legislation: Lewis-Kraus wrote that the text Marco Rubio added in June 2020 to the 2021 Intelligence Authorization Act, requesting a UAP report from the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, "drew heavily from proposals by Mellon"; Bender wrote that Mellon, "from his perch on the advisory board of DeLonge's company, ... effectively drafted the legislation later adopted by the Senate requesting the UAP report." Mellon's March 9, 2018 *[[Washington Post]]* op-ed was "The military keeps encountering UFOs. Why doesn't the Pentagon care?"[^5][^22][^23]
### Statements beside denials
Kloor (2019) quoted Mellon on *[[Fox & Friends]]* on [[Fox News]]: "We know that UFOs exist," and wrote that Mellon did not respond to a request for comment on whether he and Elizondo do contract work for a U.S. agency; Elizondo told Kloor he was a government contractor "but it's not what you think it is." Mellon told Kloor by email in late 2018: "I did not claim the objects were alien... Merely real, intelligently controlled and not ours."[^20][^24]
Kloor (2019) quoted Mellon on *[[Fox & Friends]]* on [[Fox News]]: "We know that UFOs exist," and wrote that Mellon did not respond to a request for comment on whether he and Elizondo do contract work for a U.S. agency; Elizondo told Kloor he was a government contractor "but it's not what you think it is." Mellon told Kloor by email in late 2018: "I did not claim the objects were alien... Merely real, intelligently controlled and not ours."[^23][^27]
### The Alabama directorship
The [[Alabama Secretary of State]] record for The Sol Foundation (entity 001-041-463) names "Cristopher Mellon" of Laughlintown, [[Pennsylvania]] as one of three initial directors on the Certificate of Formation filed September 23, 2022, with [[Garry Nolan]] and [[Saul Mercado]]. The Statement of Intent to Dissolve filed September 15, 2023 lists the directors as Nolan, "Christopher Mellon" (spelled with an h) and Mercado. The corporation's registered agent and office were those of [[Ignite Fueling Innovation]] in [[Huntsville]]. The same filing lists Nolan as president, Mercado as secretary and [[Peter Skafish]] as treasurer; Mellon holds no office on it. A board consent to dissolve was executed on August 31, 2023, and the Articles of Dissolution, filed September 15, 2023, state that no plan of distribution was adopted. The filings state no occupation or prior office for any director, and none states that the director is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Laughlintown is also the locality given for "Mellon, Christopher" in the FEC entries below. The California corporation is described on [[Sol Foundation]].[^25]
The [[Alabama Secretary of State]] record for The Sol Foundation (entity 001-041-463) names "Cristopher Mellon" of Laughlintown, Pennsylvania as one of three initial directors on the Certificate of Formation filed September 23, 2022, with Garry Nolan and [[Saul Mercado]]. The Statement of Intent to Dissolve filed September 15, 2023 lists the directors as Nolan, "Christopher Mellon" (spelled with an h) and Mercado. The corporation's registered agent and office were those of [[Ignite Fueling Innovation]] in Huntsville. The same filing lists Nolan as president, Mercado as secretary and Peter Skafish as treasurer; Mellon holds no office on it. A board consent to dissolve was executed on August 31, 2023, and the Articles of Dissolution, filed September 15, 2023, state that no plan of distribution was adopted. The filings state no occupation or prior office for any director, and none states that the director is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Laughlintown is also the locality given for "Mellon, Christopher" in the FEC entries below. The California corporation is described on Sol Foundation.[^28]
### Federal Election Commission records
[[Federal Election Commission|FEC]] itemized receipts list a "Mellon, Christopher" of [[Laughlintown]], Pennsylvania (employer "[[Mellon Consulting]]" from 2008 to 2009, "[[A&E Networks]]" in 2020) with contributions to [[John Murtha|Murtha for Congress]] (seven entries, March 3, 2008 to December 9, 2009, 500 to 2,000 dollars each), 5,000 dollars to the [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] (June 23, 2008) and 2,400 dollars to [[Chuck Schumer|Friends of Schumer]] (July 16, 2010), and, on August 25 and 27, 2020, 2,800 dollars to [[Joe Biden|Biden for President]], 35,000 dollars to the [[Biden Victory Fund]] and 32,200 dollars to the [[Democratic National Committee]]. Other "Mellon, Christopher" donors in [[Greenfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Greenfield Township]], Pennsylvania and [[Conklin, New York|Conklin]], New York list [[Maines Paper & Food Service]] as employer. No record read states which of these entries belong to the former Pentagon official.[^26]
[[Federal Election Commission|FEC]] itemized receipts list a "Mellon, Christopher" of [[Laughlintown]], Pennsylvania (employer "[[Mellon Consulting]]" from 2008 to 2009, "[[A&E Networks]]" in 2020) with contributions to [[John Murtha|Murtha for Congress]] (seven entries, March 3, 2008 to December 9, 2009, 500 to 2,000 dollars each), 5,000 dollars to the [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] (June 23, 2008) and 2,400 dollars to [[Chuck Schumer|Friends of Schumer]] (July 16, 2010), and, on August 25 and 27, 2020, 2,800 dollars to [[Joe Biden|Biden for President]], 35,000 dollars to the [[Biden Victory Fund]] and 32,200 dollars to the [[Democratic National Committee]]. Other "Mellon, Christopher" donors in [[Greenfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Greenfield Township]], Pennsylvania and [[Conklin, New York|Conklin]], New York list [[Maines Paper & Food Service]] as employer. No record read states which of these entries belong to the former Pentagon official.[^29]
The same query returns further occupation and employer entries. The entries to Murtha for Congress and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee give "President" of "Mellon Consulting." Two entries read "Christopher K. Mellon": April 5, 2008, "Executive," "[[Powercast]]," 1,000 dollars to [[Citizens for Altmire]]; and March 3, 2009, "Consultant," "[[Mellon Strategic Consulting, LLC]]," 500 dollars to Citizens for Altmire. Three entries under "Mr. Christopher Mellon," "Consultant," "Self-Employed," are to [[Tim Murphy for Congress]]: 250 dollars on August 12, 2008, 500 dollars on September 24, 2008 and 250 dollars on April 8, 2009. On March 8, 2015 an entry with occupation "Investor," employer "Self," gives 2,600 dollars to [[Webb 2016]], and on March 16, 2015 the same occupation gives 5,000 dollars to [[Born Fighting PAC]]. The five entries of August 25 and 27, 2020, to Biden for President, the Biden Victory Fund and the Democratic National Committee, give occupation "Producer/Subject Matter Expert" and employer "A&E Networks."[^27]
The same query returns further occupation and employer entries. The entries to Murtha for Congress and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee give "President" of "Mellon Consulting." Two entries read "Christopher K. Mellon": April 5, 2008, "Executive," "[[Powercast]]," 1,000 dollars to [[Citizens for Altmire]]; and March 3, 2009, "Consultant," "[[Mellon Strategic Consulting, LLC]]," 500 dollars to Citizens for Altmire. Three entries under "Mr. Christopher Mellon," "Consultant," "Self-Employed," are to [[Tim Murphy for Congress]]: 250 dollars on August 12, 2008, 500 dollars on September 24, 2008 and 250 dollars on April 8, 2009. On March 8, 2015 an entry with occupation "Investor," employer "Self," gives 2,600 dollars to [[Webb 2016]], and on March 16, 2015 the same occupation gives 5,000 dollars to [[Born Fighting PAC]]. The five entries of August 25 and 27, 2020, to Biden for President, the Biden Victory Fund and the Democratic National Committee, give occupation "Producer/Subject Matter Expert" and employer "A&E Networks."[^30]
### Footnotes
@ -122,13 +129,16 @@ The same query returns further occupation and employer entries. The entries to M
[^15]: Micah Hanks, "The Sol Foundation, Academia's New UAP Think Tank, Releases Videos of Lectures from Its Inaugural Symposium," *The Debrief*, February 12, 2024. https://thedebrief.org/the-sol-foundation-academias-new-uap-think-tank-releases-videos-of-lectures-from-its-inaugural-symposium/
[^16]: Statement of Tim Gallaudet with signatory letter dated November 12, 2024, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, hearing of November 13, 2024. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/GO/GO12/20241113/117721/HHRG-118-GO12-Wstate-GallaudetPhDRearAdmiralUSNavyRetT-20241113-SD001.pdf
[^17]: The Sol Foundation, home page, "People" section, https://thesolfoundation.org/ , read October 3, 2026; IRS Form 990 for 2024, EIN 93-3649160, Part VII, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/933649160/202543269349300004/full
[^18]: Review of Lankford, *The Last American Aristocrat. Kirkus Reviews,* 1996; National Gallery of Art, 1999 Paul Mellon press release; *Philadelphia Inquirer,* July 5, 2014 (Scaife obituary). See the footnotes of [[Mellon Family]].
[^19]: Lewis-Kraus, Gideon. "How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously." *The New Yorker,* May 10, 2021. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/10/how-the-pentagon-started-taking-ufos-seriously
[^20]: Kloor, Keith. "The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He?" *The Intercept,* June 1, 2019. https://theintercept.com/2019/06/01/ufo-unidentified-history-channel-luis-elizondo-pentagon/
[^21]: "The Galileo Project Welcomes Christopher Mellon and Luis Elizondo as Research Affiliates," October 30, 2021. https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/galileo/files/mellon-elizondo_announcement_final_2.pdf (Internet Archive copy).
[^22]: "Richard King Mellon Foundation awards $575,000 to Galileo Project," April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/2024/https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/news/richard-king-mellon-foundation-awards-575000-galileo-project
[^23]: IRS Form 990-PF for 2024, Richard King Mellon Foundation, EIN 25-1127705, object ID 202503179349103185, Part XV (grants paid during the year), https://gt990datalake-rawdata.s3.amazonaws.com/EfileData/XmlFiles/202503179349103185_public.xml ; Richard King Mellon Foundation, 2024 Annual Report, "Grant & PRI Recipients," https://www.rkmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2024-Annual-Report.pdf
[^24]: Kloor, Keith. "UFOs Won't Go Away." *Issues in Science and Technology,* March 1, 2019. https://issues.org/ufos-wont-go-away/
[^25]: Alabama Secretary of State, entity 001-041-463, The Sol Foundation: Certificate of Formation (filed September 23, 2022), board consent (August 31, 2023), Statement of Intent to Dissolve and Articles of Dissolution (both filed September 15, 2023); document copies purchased October 3, 2026, and the entity page fetched the same day. https://arc-sos.state.al.us/cgi/corpdetail.mbr/detail?corp=001041463&page=name&file=&type=ALL&status=ALL&place=ALL&city=
[^26]: Federal Election Commission, schedule A receipts, contributor name "MELLON, CHRISTOPHER" (OpenFEC API query run October 3, 2026). https://api.open.fec.gov/v1/schedules/schedule_a/?contributor_name=MELLON%2C%20CHRISTOPHER
[^27]: Federal Election Commission, schedule A receipts, contributor name "MELLON, CHRISTOPHER," city Laughlintown, Pennsylvania, 20 rows (OpenFEC API query rerun October 3, 2026; sub_ids include 4020620091107097394, 4040820091113637717, 4101520081097487423, 4032920161281705749, 4073120151248132201, 4060420221494790667). https://api.open.fec.gov/v1/schedules/schedule_a/?contributor_name=MELLON%2C%20CHRISTOPHER&contributor_city=LAUGHLINTOWN
[^18]: The Sol Foundation, "Nolan Laboratory (Department of Pathology) and the Stanford School of Medicine Present: The Sol Foundation Initiative for UAP Research and Policy," symposium page of November 17 to 18, 2023, Internet Archive copy. https://web.archive.org/web/2023/https://thesolfoundation.org/event/the-inaugural-annual-conference-of-the-sol-foundation/
[^19]: Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, "Chris Mellon on SCU's Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena Conference (AAPC)," video published June 26, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLAWHErz71M
[^20]: Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, AAPC 2022 agenda, https://web.archive.org/web/20220524005545id_/https://www.explorescu.org/_files/ugd/8374d8_ff2696792d7d4d23b1354cf52b031941.pdf
[^21]: Review of Lankford, *The Last American Aristocrat. Kirkus Reviews,* 1996; National Gallery of Art, 1999 Paul Mellon press release; *Philadelphia Inquirer,* July 5, 2014 (Scaife obituary). See the footnotes of [[Mellon Family]].
[^22]: Lewis-Kraus, Gideon. "How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously." *The New Yorker,* May 10, 2021. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/10/how-the-pentagon-started-taking-ufos-seriously
[^23]: Kloor, Keith. "The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He?" *The Intercept,* June 1, 2019. https://theintercept.com/2019/06/01/ufo-unidentified-history-channel-luis-elizondo-pentagon/
[^24]: "The Galileo Project Welcomes Christopher Mellon and Luis Elizondo as Research Affiliates," October 30, 2021. https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/galileo/files/mellon-elizondo_announcement_final_2.pdf (Internet Archive copy).
[^25]: "Richard King Mellon Foundation awards $575,000 to Galileo Project," April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/2024/https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/news/richard-king-mellon-foundation-awards-575000-galileo-project
[^26]: IRS Form 990-PF for 2024, Richard King Mellon Foundation, EIN 25-1127705, object ID 202503179349103185, Part XV (grants paid during the year), https://gt990datalake-rawdata.s3.amazonaws.com/EfileData/XmlFiles/202503179349103185_public.xml ; Richard King Mellon Foundation, 2024 Annual Report, "Grant & PRI Recipients," https://www.rkmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2024-Annual-Report.pdf
[^27]: Kloor, Keith. "UFOs Won't Go Away." *Issues in Science and Technology,* March 1, 2019. https://issues.org/ufos-wont-go-away/
[^28]: Alabama Secretary of State, entity 001-041-463, The Sol Foundation: Certificate of Formation (filed September 23, 2022), board consent (August 31, 2023), Statement of Intent to Dissolve and Articles of Dissolution (both filed September 15, 2023); document copies purchased October 3, 2026, and the entity page fetched the same day. https://arc-sos.state.al.us/cgi/corpdetail.mbr/detail?corp=001041463&page=name&file=&type=ALL&status=ALL&place=ALL&city=
[^29]: Federal Election Commission, schedule A receipts, contributor name "MELLON, CHRISTOPHER" (OpenFEC API query run October 3, 2026). https://api.open.fec.gov/v1/schedules/schedule_a/?contributor_name=MELLON%2C%20CHRISTOPHER
[^30]: Federal Election Commission, schedule A receipts, contributor name "MELLON, CHRISTOPHER," city Laughlintown, Pennsylvania, 20 rows (OpenFEC API query rerun October 3, 2026; sub_ids include 4020620091107097394, 4040820091113637717, 4101520081097487423, 4032920161281705749, 4073120151248132201, 4060420221494790667). https://api.open.fec.gov/v1/schedules/schedule_a/?contributor_name=MELLON%2C%20CHRISTOPHER&contributor_city=LAUGHLINTOWN

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10 - PEOPLE/(H-M)/Howard Lutnick.md
View file

@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ tags:
alias:
- Howard Lutnick
- Howard W. Lutnick
summary: "Howard Lutnick is the Cantor Fitzgerald chairman and U.S. Secretary of Commerce who bought a house Jeffrey Epstein had sold, co-invested with him in 2012, and told the press their contact ended in 2005."
summary: "Howard Lutnick is the Cantor Fitzgerald chairman and U.S. Secretary of Commerce who bought a house Jeffrey Epstein had sold, co-invested with him in Adfin, and told the press their contact ended in 2005."
born: 1961-07-14
location: "New York, New York"
relations:
@ -33,24 +33,57 @@ relations:
fn: 2
- type: partner_of
with: "[[Jeffrey Epstein]]"
role: "co-investors in Adfin through separate LLCs (CVAFH I and Southern Trust Company)"
start: 2012-12-28
end: 2014
fn: 1
role: "co-investors in Adfin through separate LLCs (CVAFH I purchase of July 23, 2013 and Southern Trust Company purchases of April 10 and July 23, 2013; the cap table as of January 4, 2018 lists both Cantor and Southern as holders)"
start: 2013-07-23
fn: 12
- type: subject_of
with: "[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]"
role: "FD-71A Guardian complaint alleging money laundering, filed under the Epstein case number"
start: 2020-10-14
fn: 6
fn: 40
- type: head_of
with: "[[CVAFH I LLC]]"
role: "named as president in the signature blocks of the July 2013 Adfin Series A counterpart pages (EFTA00289581, EFTA00289634, EFTA00289652, EFTA00289668) and letter agreement (EFTA00289680)"
start: 2013-07-23
fn: 13
- type: head_of
with: "[[BGC Group]]"
role: "chief executive officer, as described by The Banker"
fn: 41
- type: subject_of
with: "[[House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]]"
role: "transcribed interview of May 6, 2026, including questions on Adfin Solutions"
start: 2026-05-06
fn: 15
- type: honored_by
with: "[[UJA-Federation of New York]]"
start: 2017-12-11
role: 'honoree at the UJA-Federation of New York Wall Street Dinner of December 11, 2017, with Lee Fixel; the invitation to Epstein from John Paulson was titled "UJA Wall Street Dinner honoring Howard Lutnick"'
fn: 32
- type: listed_as_benefit_co_chair_of
with: "[[Dubin Breast Center]]"
role: 'listed as "Allison and Howard Lutnick" under "Benefit Co-Chairs" on invitations to the center's second (December 10, 2012) and third (December 9, 2013) annual benefits, and under "Benefit Committee" on the letter for the December 11, 2017 gala, in messages addressed to Jeffrey Epstein'
start: 2012-12-10
fn: 35
- type: subject_of
with: "[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]"
role: 'second National Threat Operations Center intake naming him (October 19, 2020, case 50D-NY-3027571) and FD-302 of an interview of February 16, 2021 (serial 593) recording an interviewee's allegations and his statement that he "has never interacted with LUTNICK"; an FBI email of January 30, 2025 states "We did not open an investigation as a result of these allegations"'
start: 2020-10-19
fn: 42
- type: subject_of
with: "[[BBC]]"
start: 2026-07-14
role: "BBC report that one of his firms made plans in 2013 to go into business with the then Prince Andrew, under proposed terms including a GBP 1,000,000 loan to a firm controlled by him"
fn: 31
created: 2026-09-25
updated: 2026-09-25
updated: 2026-10-04
---
Howard Lutnick is an American financier who has led the brokerage and investment bank [[Cantor Fitzgerald]] since 1991 and who became [[United States Department of Commerce|Secretary of Commerce]] in the second administration of [[Donald Trump]] in February 2025.[^1][^2] For more than a decade he lived next door to [[Jeffrey Epstein]] on East 71st Street in [[Manhattan]], in a house that Epstein had sold in 1996 to an entity that resold it to Lutnick two years later. In October 2025 Lutnick said he had cut ties with Epstein in 2005; documents released by the [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]] in early 2026 showed correspondence through 2018, a family visit to [[Little St. James]] in December 2012, and a joint investment in an advertising-technology company signed four days after that visit.[^1][^3]
Howard Lutnick is an American financier who has led the brokerage and investment bank [[Cantor Fitzgerald]] since 1991 and who became [[United States Department of Commerce|Secretary of Commerce]] in the second administration of [[Donald Trump]] in February 2025.[^1][^2] For more than a decade he lived next door to [[Jeffrey Epstein]] on East 71st Street in [[Manhattan]], in a house that Epstein had sold in 1996 to an entity that resold it to Lutnick two years later. In October 2025 Lutnick said he had cut ties with Epstein in 2005; documents released by the [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]] in early 2026 showed correspondence through 2018, a family visit to [[Little St. James]] in December 2012, and a joint investment in an advertising-technology company under a purchase agreement dated five days after that visit.[^1][^3]
### Cantor Fitzgerald and the Commerce Department
Lutnick became president and chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald in 1991 and chairman in 1996.[^1] The firm's venture arm, Cantor Ventures, is its venture-capital subsidiary.[^1] Trump nominated Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce after the 2024 election, and he took office in February 2025, with responsibility for trade policy, export controls, and the department's technology-standards bodies, including the [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] and the [[U.S. AI Safety Institute]].[^2]
Lutnick became president and chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald in 1991 and chairman in 1996.[^1] Prospectuses of Cantor's special-purpose acquisition companies state that he has been its president and chief executive officer since 1992 and chairman since 1996.[^4] The firm's venture arm, Cantor Ventures, is its venture-capital subsidiary.[^1] Trump nominated Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce after the 2024 election, and he took office in February 2025, with responsibility for trade policy, export controls, and the department's technology-standards bodies, including the [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] and the [[U.S. AI Safety Institute]].[^2]
### The House on East 71st Street
@ -58,37 +91,173 @@ In 1996 Epstein sold the property at 11 East 71st Street to an entity called Com
### The 2005 Account
In October 2025 Lutnick told the [[New York Post]] that he and his wife, Allison, had cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after touring Epstein's townhouse, and said, "I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again."[^1]
In October 2025 Lutnick told the [[New York Post]] that he and his wife, [[Allison Lutnick|Allison]], had cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after touring Epstein's townhouse, and said, "I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again."[^1]
In the October 2025 interview on "Pod Force One with Miranda Devine," quoted by NBC News on February 10, 2026, Lutnick said, "I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy."[^5]
### The Correspondence After 2005
The released emails show Lutnick and Epstein arranging calls and planning drinks in 2011.[^1] On April 4, 2011, Epstein's assistant [[Lesley Groff]] told him, "Howard Lutnick returned your call." On April 27 she wrote that Lutnick "will come see you at 5pm on Sunday May 1st," and Epstein's calendar for May 1, 2011 reads "5:00 Drinks w/Howard Lutnick."[^4] On November 20, 2012, Groff wrote to Lutnick: "Jeffrey Epstein understands you will be down in [[St. Thomas]] some over the holidays," passing on Epstein's telephone numbers and naming as contacts the staff of his St. Thomas office, "FTC," the [[Financial Trust Company]]. Calendar alerts of December 20 and 21, 2012 read "can Howard Lutnick do lunch Sat or Sun on JE's island?" and "can Howard Lutnick do lunch on Sat. 22nd or Sun. 23rd?"[^5] In December 2012 Lutnick, his wife, and their four children planned a visit to Little St. James, and Lutnick was invited to lunch there on December 24, 2012; afterward Epstein's assistant wrote to Lutnick on Epstein's behalf, "it was nice seeing you."[^1]
The released emails show Lutnick and Epstein arranging calls and planning drinks in 2011.[^1] On April 4, 2011, Epstein's assistant [[Lesley Groff]] told him, "Howard Lutnick returned your call." On April 27 she wrote that Lutnick "will come see you at 5pm on Sunday May 1st," and Epstein's calendar for May 1, 2011 reads "5:00 Drinks w/Howard Lutnick."[^6] On November 20, 2012, Groff wrote to Lutnick: "Jeffrey Epstein understands you will be down in [[St. Thomas]] some over the holidays," passing on Epstein's telephone numbers and naming as contacts the staff of his St. Thomas office, "FTC," the [[Financial Trust Company]]. Calendar alerts of December 20 and 21, 2012 read "can Howard Lutnick do lunch Sat or Sun on JE's island?" and "can Howard Lutnick do lunch on Sat. 22nd or Sun. 23rd?"[^7] In December 2012 Lutnick, his wife, and their four children planned a visit to Little St. James, and Lutnick was invited to lunch there on December 23, 2012;[^8] afterward Epstein's assistant wrote to Lutnick on Epstein's behalf, "it was nice seeing you."[^1]
On December 28, 2012, four days after the lunch, Lutnick and Epstein each signed, on behalf of limited liability companies, a contract to acquire stakes in Adfin, an advertising-technology company since shut down. Epstein signed for [[Southern Trust Company]], Inc., the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] entity through which he conducted much of his business; Lutnick signed for an LLC named CVAFH I. Their signatures appear on neighboring pages, and the document lists nine shareholders.[^1] A person close to Lutnick told CBS News that "Cantor was a small minority investor in Adfin" and that Lutnick "would not have any knowledge of who the other investors were."[^1] Adfin correspondence continued into 2014, when the shareholder David Mitchell wrote to Epstein about further fundraising involving Cantor Ventures.[^1]
The earliest dated item in the released files that concerns a request to reach Epstein on Lutnick's behalf is an email of Monday, October 19, 2009, 6:50:26 p.m., sent to Epstein under the subject line "HOward Lutnick," with the sender's name redacted. It opens "The following is from" followed by an individual's name, and the quoted message reads: "HOward Lutnick would like to speak to you...one of his employees asked me if Howard could have your number so he may call you. Would you like me to give him your number? They did not give me Howard's number...." The email does not say who the employee was. At the House interview the email was Majority Exhibit 5; the questioner described it as "a message passed along to Mr. Epstein from" the named individual "about you wanting to speak to Mr. Epstein," and Lutnick said of that individual: "He was someone who worked for me at Cantor Fitzgerald. So on my staff." Asked whether he recalled why he would have tried to contact Epstein, he said: "I don't have any recollection," and added: "I shouldn't speculate. I don't know. And I did not speak to him" (pp. 31-32).[^9][^10]
On January 8, 2013, eleven days after the signing, Epstein had his assistant forward Lutnick a document concerning casino legislation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein kept his island and a range of business interests. A Lutnick spokesperson said he "ignored the document sent to him."[^1] In 2017 Epstein agreed to give 50,000 dollars to a dinner honoring Lutnick organized in part by the hedge-fund manager [[John Paulson]]; Epstein wrote to Paulson, "hope pr is ok," and declined the table his donation bought, telling Paulson that Lutnick could fill the seats.[^1]
In 2011 the sequence continued past the April 4 entries. On Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 1:58 p.m., Lesley Groff wrote to Epstein under the subject "reminder Howard Lutnick": "Reminder you want to speak to Howard Lutnick today." On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at 10:11 a.m., Epstein wrote to Groff: "[...] also on sunday if posible. . try to schedule, also howard lutnik." The next day, April 27, Groff wrote "Howard Lutnick will come see you at 5pm on Sunday May 1st," cited above. On Friday, October 28, 2011, at 2:52 p.m., Groff wrote to Epstein under the subject "Howard Lutnick": "FYI- Howard Lutnick's assistant called asking if you would be available to speak with Howard today..." The documents do not record whether a call took place on October 28.[^11]
In the opening statement of the House Oversight interview of May 6, 2026, Lutnick said: "My second interaction occurred 6 years later, in 2011, when his staff initiated contact with my office, suggesting he had a reason to get in touch with me. Our offices attempted to connect us by phone over the course of several weeks but were unable to do so." He continued that his staff "arranged for me to ring his bell, during my and my wife's typical Sunday walk around the block with our dogs, to hear what he had to say" (pp. 9-10). Asked whether he ever had telephone calls with Epstein, he answered: "I do not recall ever having a phone call with Mr. Epstein" (p. 18). Shown the April 4, 2011 email reading "Howard Lutnick returned your call," he said: "my office must have suggested I call him back to hear what he had to say, and we were unable to connect by phone" (p. 32).[^10]
Adfin was an advertising-technology company since shut down, whose Series A purchase agreement is dated December 28, 2012, five days after the lunch. Epstein signed for [[Southern Trust Company]], Inc., the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] entity through which he conducted much of his business; Lutnick signed for an LLC named CVAFH I. Their signatures appear on neighboring pages, and the document lists nine shareholders.[^1][^12] A person close to Lutnick told CBS News that "Cantor was a small minority investor in Adfin" and that Lutnick "would not have any knowledge of who the other investors were."[^1] Adfin correspondence continued into 2014, when the shareholder David Mitchell wrote to Epstein about further fundraising involving Cantor Ventures.[^1]
On January 8, 2013, eleven days after the date of the Adfin purchase agreement, Epstein had his assistant forward Lutnick a document concerning casino legislation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein kept his island and a range of business interests. A Lutnick spokesperson said he "ignored the document sent to him."[^1]
### Adfin: The July 2013 Documents
The Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement of [[AdFin Solutions]], Inc. is dated December 28, 2012. Its initial closing that day involved two purchasers, David Mitchell and Jonathan Leitersdorf. The Schedule of Purchasers lists Southern Trust Company, Inc. for 1,142,857 shares on April 10, 2013, and, on July 23, 2013, "CVAFH I LLC" for 800,000 shares at $350,000 and Southern Trust Company, Inc. for a further 285,714 shares. The counterpart signature page for Southern Trust Company, Inc. reads "Name: Jeffrey Epstein," "Title: President." The counterpart signature page for CVAFH I LLC reads "Name: Howard W. Lutnick," "Title: President," with a handwritten marginal line, "[Signature Page to $350,000 Series A Preferred Stock Investment in AdFin Solutions, Inc.]." Counterpart pages of the same form for both entities appear in the Investors' Rights Agreement, the Right of Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement and the Voting Agreement, and a July 2013 letter agreement on [[Cantor Ventures]], L.P. letterhead, with a CVAFH I LLC signature block titled "President," states: "Cantor has been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares and the ultimate holding company of Cantor is Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership."[^13][^14]
At the House Oversight interview of May 6, 2026, a questioner described a stock purchase agreement "that you signed on behalf of CVAFH and Mr. Epstein signed." Lutnick was asked whether he knew Epstein was an investor: "No." He said he learned it "when these documents were released." Lutnick's counsel stated that the documents show that "when Cantor Fitzgerald Venture Capital signed these documents, it was ... much later ... in 2013 in the spring," and Lutnick said: "I don't think I heard about this investment till 2013, May. I think the pitch was made to me in May of 2013, from the document. So it wasn't in December." Asked whether it is common for another investor to hold a signature page from a different investor, he answered: "No. I found it inexplicable and unsettling that he had ... that it was released, that my company's signature page would be in someone else's files."[^15]
### Adfin: The 2012 Email Exchange
On December 19, 2012 at 7:48 p.m. Eastern Time an email from "Lutnick, Howard," subject "Sunday," addressed "Hi Jeff," and carrying a Cantor Fitzgerald disclaimer, was sent: "We are landing in St. Thomas early Saturday afternoon and planning to head over to St. Bart's/Anguilla on Monday at some point. Where are you located (what is exact location for my captain)? Does Sunday evening for dinner sound good? I have another couple ... with me on my boat, and each of us has 4 children." Epstein replied on a copy that Lesley Groff had forwarded to him: "come sat or sunday lunch? little st james on the map, behind christmans cove." On December 21 Groff wrote of "1:30 this sunday for lunch to the island for Howard, wife and all the kids and other famil traveling with them. They are taking their boat to the island and will need to know where to 'park' it."[^16][^8]
On Friday, December 21, 2012 at 9:49 a.m. an email from the address "Lutnick, Allison" to Groff, subject "hi," began: "Hi Lesley. This is Allison Lutnick. We are looking forward to visiting you. We will be coming from [[Caneel Bay]] in the morning." It continued: "[...] We would love to join you for lunch. Please advise on timing and exactly where our boat should go. Would 1 or 1:30pm for lunch work? We are travelling on a yacht called Excellence and I am cc'ing the Captain." Groff's reply began "Hello Allison and thank you so much for getting back to me" and included the words "we will come back to you with answers shortly regarding time and where your boat should go," and the "Lutnick, Allison" address answered at 3:09 p.m. UTC: "ok!"[^17]
On Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 11:16 a.m. the same address wrote: "We are heading towards you from St. Thomas. Where should we anchor exactly? What is your phone number?" Groff replied at 4:43 p.m.: "Great to hear you are headed over. I am actually not on the island. I jut spoke to [redacted] and he and [redacted] will be sending you an email with more instruction. I think they need to know what kind of boat you are on so they can instruct you properly." At 4:45 p.m. the "Lutnick, Allison" address answered: "188 foot yacht."[^18]
At the House interview Lutnick said of the invitation to the island: "his staff inexplicably contacted my office, unprompted, regarding my family's planned holiday travels to the Caribbean," and that "From what I have since learned, it appears he was initially seeking a meeting with just me. My wife made clear, however, that we had a large traveling party of approximately 12-plus people, and if we were to come, it would be with everyone" (p. 10). Asked "Did Mr. Epstein ever invite you to any of his properties?" he answered "No" (p. 19).[^10]
At the House interview Lutnick said that emails addressed "Howard Lutnick" or "Lutnick, Howard" went to a member of his office staff, whom he named: "They did not go to me," and that "You would know if they went to me if they are listed as 'HWL.'" On the November 20, 2012 email from Groff he said: "What I still cannot understand is this November 20, how or why, without any communication for years would he inexplicably know where I'm going. It's unsettling, actually." Asked whether he contacted Epstein about the trip: "I did not in any way contact or have any connection to him." Of the lunch: "It was boring. We left."[^19]
### The Calendar Alert of November 21, 2012
A Google Calendar reminder in Epstein's account, set for Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 4:00 to 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time, reads: "did bobby kotick and howard lutnick get my email yesterday re island #'s?" The email of November 20, 2012 from Lesley Groff to "Lutnick, Howard" (EFTA00401048) is cited above. At the May 6, 2026 House Oversight interview Lutnick said that emails addressed "Howard Lutnick" or "Lutnick, Howard" went to a member of his office staff, "They did not go to me," and "I would never see them" (p. 22), describing that person as "my longtime assistant in my office" who "worked for me for 20 years" (p. 34).[^20][^21]
### The Message of December 24, 2012
On Monday, December 24, 2012, one day after the lunch on Little St. James, Epstein sent a message at 6:17 a.m. Eastern Time under the subject "please forward to howard lutnik": "nice seeing you , read #2 dot three." Groff forwarded it to the Lutnick address under the subject "Jeffrey Epstein with attachment," with an attached file named "TopTenDB.pdf" and the text "Please see below attachment from Jeffrey Epstein." Her message of 7:25 a.m. that morning, to "Lutnick, Howard" and copied to an address for a member of Lutnick's office staff, read: "Good morning Howard. Jeffrey wished me to pass along the below to you: Nice seeing you. Please read f2 dot three." A reply from that staff account read "Thanks!"[^22]
### The Messages of January 2013
On January 8, 2013 Groff wrote to the address "Lutnick, Howard," subject "From Jeffrey Epstein": "Hello Howard. Please see attached from Jeffrey Epstein. Thank you, Lesley," with an attached file named "20130108114617637.pdf." The staff account replied: "Thanks, happy new year!" and Groff answered, "Same to you!" On January 29, 2013 Groff wrote to "Howard Lutnick" under the subject "Fwd: forward to lutcnik": "Hello Howard. Jeffrey requested I send you the below link," followed by an NPR blog item of January 28, 2013 by Jacob Goldstein about [[Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua]].[^23]
At the House interview Lutnick was asked about "a few followups in the DOJ files in the 4 to 5 weeks after your visit to the island" in which "Mr. Epstein's assistant would send your staff various articles, some of them related to gaming legislation in the Virgin Islands or the gaming industry in Antigua," and whether he recalled "receiving any outreach of that nature." He answered "No." Asked whether he recalled "discussing with Mr. Epstein or anyone else topics related to gaming legislation or the gaming industry" during the December 2012 visit, he answered "No," and described the visit as "basically inconsequential, meaning nothing" (pp. 84-85).[^21]
### Adfin: Mitchell, the 2013 Note and the 2016 Proposed Terms
On May 4, 2013 Mitchell wrote to Epstein about the AdFin investment and added, "I think I am seeing H Lutnick later." Asked about this at the House interview, Lutnick said Mitchell "was the husband of one of my wife's friends," that he did not recall knowing Mitchell had any relationship with Epstein, and that "this seems to think that David Mitchell was planning on seeing me, not Mr. Epstein."[^24]
A Note Purchase Agreement of December 26, 2013 sold a $2,000,000 unsecured convertible note to "CVAFH I, LLC," whose signature page bears the handwritten name "Douglas Barnard" and the title "Chief Financial Officer"; a stockholder consent of the same date has signature pages for Southern Trust Company, Inc. and CVAFH I, LLC.[^25] On January 7, 2014 Mitchell told Epstein: "We completed a $2 million convertible placement with Cantor Ventures at the end of the year ... If and when they convert they get a board seat."[^26] A letter of February 16, 2016 from Mitchell to his co-investors reported that the AdFin board had accepted an offer from "its largest shareholder, Cantor Venture," and its Exhibit A, a summary of proposed terms, read: "Board increased to 7 directors. All chosen by Cantor, but each 10% or greater stockholder will have the right to appoint 1 director ... for now only Julserra and the Board must include the CEO ... Howard Lutnick, Jed Kleckner and Henrique de Castro will join the Board." A company investor presentation in the same file carries a slide headed "Backed By Leaders" with the caption "Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO, Cantor Fitzgerald" beneath a photograph.[^27]
In 2018 AdFin's chief executive, in an email thread with David Mitchell and Epstein's accountant [[Richard Kahn]], wrote on January 26, "we are trying to get a meeting with Howard next week," and, to Kahn on February 13, "finally met with Howard. All went well, but as always a few followup items I need to work on this week, most importantly finalizing the exact amount of the raise and per share valuation." Epstein told Kahn on February 26, 2018: "you can tell them we are a seller at cost. 875 and we are out." On April 13 the chief executive wrote: "We were trying to get a response from Howard and Jonathan on your ask, but there is apparently no interest at this time on the sale of your interest." The emails give no surname for "Howard." The company's cap table as of January 4, 2018 lists "Cantor" with 60.32 percent and "Southern" with 4.50 percent.[^28]
### Adfin: The May 28, 2018 Email and the House Answers
On May 28, 2018 Epstein wrote to an address labeled "HWL": "on another note what do you think the prospects for adfin are?" The reply read: "Producing revenue finally. This is their year. Next 12 months they need to become economically self sufficient." Epstein followed: "thx. how long until sherry is ready , and i can buy my guest house?" and HWL wrote: "Probably 4 years (pierre)."[^29]
At the House interview Lutnick was asked, "During your visit to the island, did you discuss the company AdFin Solutions with Mr. Epstein?" and answered "No." He answered that the email was his ("This was ... this was me, because it says 'HWL'"); that he was not personally an investor in AdFin ("No") and that Cantor Fitzgerald was ("Yes"), through "Cantor Ventures," "a venture capital arm of Cantor Fitzgerald, so sort of multiple layers down the subsidiary chain"; that he did not remember knowing in 2018 that Epstein was an investor ("I do not remember that I knew that, no"); and that "The 2018 emails that I've seen, that one exchange is the only email exchange that I have learned about in this process." On the "Pierre" line he said Epstein "had made a joke that he would buy my house as his guesthouse." His counsel said: "I do not consider this a business dealing with Mr. Epstein." His opening statement began: "I unequivocally condemn the conduct attributed to Jeffrey Epstein and everyone who participated in his illegal activities."[^15][^29]
### The Duke of York, 2013
On July 10, 2013 [[David Stern (business adviser)|David Stern]], whom the BBC describes as "the prince's business aide," wrote to Epstein: "What is your view on Howard Lutnick ? Just met him with PA." Epstein answered twenty-three minutes later, by the header times: "My neighbor smart." The documents do not say where the meeting took place or expand "PA."[^30]
On August 9, 2013 the forwarded thread "HL Loan - CD/SM call note 8.8.13" carried a solicitor's attendance note headed "Matter HL Asset Management etc," and Epstein wrote to Stern: "no no no no no, howards main businesss is gambing in las vegas. he will have to disclose to the las vegas commsion his arrangeent and you will have holy hell to pay." On September 2, 2013 Stern forwarded Epstein a draft term sheet with the words "See attached term sheet from Howard to PA. I think madness. They are still at it. We kill it ?" The term sheet, dated August 29, 2013 and marked "Preliminary Draft for Discussion Purposes Only," named as partners "Cantor Urramoor Asset Management Holdings, LLC ('Cantor Holdings'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald," and "[Urramoor], an entity owned by a trust created by Mr. T.," and provided that "the Company would advance the sum of £1,000,000 to Urramoor which would accrue interest at an annual rate of 3.5%." It names no individual at Cantor Fitzgerald. The [[Companies House]] register lists the person with significant control of [[Urramoor Limited]] since April 6, 2016 as "Hrh Andrew Inverness."[^30]
A draft "Agreement for Referrals" of November 2013 between "[[Cantor Opportunities]], LLC" and "Urramoor Limited" has blank signature blocks. On November 16, 2013 Stern asked Epstein, "Have you seen Cantor Fitzgerald proposal?" and Epstein answered "goofy."[^30]
The [[BBC]] reported on July 14, 2026 that advisers to Lutnick and to the former prince, [[Prince Andrew|Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor]], "discussed the deal for four months, from August to November 2013, but it came to nothing." Andrew "did not respond to a request for comment," and Cantor Fitzgerald's response to the BBC is quoted below. The article carries a [[White House]] statement made on Lutnick's behalf: "The BBC's pathetic and desperate attempt to slander Secretary Lutnick will do nothing to change the fact that he has been the most consequential Commerce Secretary in modern history."[^31]
### The UJA-Federation Dinner, 2017
On November 8, 2017 [[John Paulson]] sent an email titled "UJA Wall Street Dinner honoring Howard Lutnick," which Groff forwarded to Epstein: "it is our privilege to be honoring our good friend Howard W. Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P. and Lee Fixel, Partner at Tiger Global Management, LLC at this year's UJA-Federation of New York's Wall Street Dinner on December 11th 2017," and "As Chairman of the Wall Street Division, I want to make sure that as a close friend of the Lutnicks, you are aware of the event and have the opportunity to support them."[^32] The email listed journal levels, including "$50,000: Platinum Page (includes 10 seats)." The same day Epstein wrote to Paulson, "50k from me , hope pr is ok," and to his accountant Richard Kahn, "50k." On November 9 Kahn asked, "should we deliver check to WA or someone else such as Paulson, Lutnick etc.. please advise," and Epstein answered "paulson." The same day Epstein's assistant wrote to a UJA-Federation staff member: "Jeffrey Epstein will be contributing to the UJA Wall Street Dinner honoring Howard Lutnick," and Kahn wrote: "check from jeffery will be from his foundation gratitude america in the amount of 50,000." The assistant added that "Jeffrey says you may add him to the roll of honor as Jeffrey Epstein...!" and, of the table, that "Jeffrey says he will not use the table himself and to pass along to Lutnick he can fill them!" The UJA-Federation staff member had written, "Thank you so much for donating the seats back. Would it be alright with Jeffrey if we used the table for young people?"[^33][^34]
On November 14, 2017 a UJA-Federation staff member wrote to Epstein: "many thanks for your incredible donation in honor of Howard Lutnick," asking whether he would "take an ad and offer your own words of congratulations in our commemorative journal," and "Are you able to join us at the event itself on December 11th and would you like to take a table (inclusive of your generosity)?"[^33]
At the House interview Lutnick was asked about the event: "It was a record-setting fundraising event for UJA." Asked "Did you direct Mr. Paulson to invite Jeffrey Epstein?" he answered "No"; asked whether he solicited the donation, "No"; asked whether he thanked Epstein for it, "No"; asked whether he saw or interacted with Epstein at the event, "No" (pp. 70-71). Asked whether in 2017 he would "have characterized Mr. Epstein as a close friend of you or your family," he answered "No" (p. 86). The transcript identifies the exhibit as Bates EFTA 2229721.[^21]
### The Dubin Breast Center Benefit Invitations
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 7:13 p.m. UTC, the [[Dubin Breast Center]] sent Epstein's email account an invitation, under the subject "A special invitation from [[Eva Andersson-Dubin]], MD," to its "Second Annual Benefit" at the [[Mandarin Oriental]] on Monday, December 10, 2012. The block headed "Benefit Co-Chairs" lists twelve entries, among them "Allison and Howard Lutnick," beside "Eva and [[Glenn Dubin]]," "Alexandra and [[Steven A. Cohen|Steven Cohen]]" and "Sonia and [[Paul Tudor Jones]] II."[^35] A forwarded copy of the same invitation carries, above it, a message from Epstein sent at 2:15 p.m. that day: "i took a table so you can all get dressed up." The recipients of that message are not shown in the document. A reply from a redacted sender at 2:27 p.m. reads: "Wow! Thank you snuggliest, looking forward to it!!"[^36]
A second invitation to the center's "Third Annual Benefit," Monday, December 9, 2013, was sent to the same account on November 20, 2013, and lists "Allison and Howard Lutnick" in the block headed "Benefit Co-Chairs."[^37] A letter of September 13, 2017 from the center's "2017 Dubin Breast Center Benefit Co-Chairs" to Epstein, for the gala of Monday, December 11, 2017, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, lists "Allison and Howard Lutnick" under "Benefit Committee" (list as of August 31, 2017), and includes a response form headed "Please add my name as a co-chair and reserve the following."[^38]
At the House interview, shown an email from the Dubin Breast Center to Epstein with the subject "A special invitation from Eva Andersson-Dubin" (Majority Exhibit 9), Lutnick was asked "do you recognize this flyer?" and answered "Not offhand, no." Asked "Were you involved with the Dubin Breast Center?" he answered "I gave them money." Asked how he knew Glenn and Eva Dubin: "I met them through the hospital." Asked whether he understood the Dubins to have a relationship with Epstein: "I learned that later, after 2019." Asked whether he was involved in selecting individuals invited to the event: "No." Asked "did you attend this event?": "I don't remember." Asked whether he would know if Epstein attended the event: "I have told ... I have been here and answered every question of every interaction I've had, so I do not recall any other interaction" (pp. 68-69).[^39]
### The 2020 FBI Complaint
On October 14, 2020, a caller who described himself as a former compliance employee of BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald, responsible for "reviewing, reporting, and compliance for all of North America," telephoned the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]'s National Threat Operations Center to report alleged money laundering by Lutnick "via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald." The FBI recorded the call on an FD-71A Guardian complaint form dated April 23, 2021, filed under a money-laundering zero file and under case 50D-NY-3027571, "EPSTEIN, JEFFREY; CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING."[^6]
On October 14, 2020, a caller who described himself as a former compliance employee of BGC and Cantor Fitzgerald, responsible for "reviewing, reporting, and compliance for all of North America," telephoned the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]'s National Threat Operations Center to report alleged money laundering by Lutnick "via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald." The FBI recorded the call on an FD-71A Guardian complaint form dated April 23, 2021, filed under a money-laundering zero file and under case 50D-NY-3027571, "EPSTEIN, JEFFREY; CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING."[^40]
The caller said he had become a whistleblower after uncovering "fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, and regulatory breaches," described a "global Ponzi share" scheme in which more than 3,500 BGC employees were "forced to contribute 10% of their earnings," and said Lutnick "is deeply rooted to the royal family" and used his charities as a "smokescreen." He said he believed he had documents "which could link Lutnick to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell": that [[Ghislaine Maxwell]] and [[Sarah Ferguson]] hosted "La Dolce Vita Parties" to which Lutnick made "huge donations," and that "Epstein also sold Lutnick a house for $10 dollars through a trust fund, which was then sold for millions shortly after prior to the money going overseas." He called Lutnick's gifts to [[Haverford College]] suspicious but "cannot prove any illegal activity concerning this aspect."[^6] The recorded conveyance of 11 East 71st Street ran from Epstein to Comet Trust in 1996 and from Comet Trust to Lutnick in 1998.[^1]
The FBI complaint of October 14, 2020 was identified in a separate released compilation of Guardian complaints, EFTA01684300, as made by [[Simon Andriesz]], a British former BGC managing director (as described by the BBC and The Banker); the caller's name is redacted in the form itself. An FBI email chain dated July 24, 2025, "Epstein - Cellmate Interview," lists under "Howard Lutnick": "Simon Andriesz reported that Lutnick made his money through Ponzi schemes and money laundering. Lutnick and Epstein were neighbors and Epstein sold Lutnick a home for $10 which was then sold for millions." At the House interview of May 6, 2026, asked whether Epstein had any role in the sale of the townhouse he moved into, Lutnick answered: "No. I bought my townhouse from someone ... who owned it. So Epstein did not own the house. So I don't know what that's in reference to" (p. 30).[^41]
The FBI's own queries found that Sentinel and Guardian searches for Lutnick "revealed 26 results in the NY division case files," including a restricted closed case "concerning money laundering" and a control file "concerning a RICO violations/real estate scheme," and that a DIVS query "revealed 34 results, including three SAR's." The form notes: "Queries were not conducted on Epstein and Maxwell due to the sensitive nature of the case."[^6] No charge against Lutnick has been reported, and the Commerce Department has said he "has never been accused of wrongdoing."[^1]
On July 14, 2026 the BBC reported that Andriesz had searched the released files for "HWL," found the May 2018 exchange, and given it to members of the House Oversight Committee before Lutnick's interview; that "some of his allegations later led to BGC being ordered to pay a $3m (£2.24m) penalty by the US derivatives regulator" (CFTC release 8083-19 of November 22, 2019 announces that penalty against BGC Financial, L.P. for supervision, reporting and recordkeeping violations and does not name a whistleblower); that "The FBI did not investigate these accusations"; and that BGC said his allegations "lacked credibility" and were "categorically false." The BBC also reported that Andriesz found in the files that one of Lutnick's firms had made plans in 2013 to go into business with the then Prince Andrew, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, under proposed terms that included a £1 million loan to a firm controlled by him; Cantor Fitzgerald "did not deny the talks took place but told the BBC it did not go into business with the former prince," and the BBC wrote that the deal "came to nothing." In the article's passage on the AdFin allegations, which precedes its passage on Andrew, a Commerce Department statement to the BBC called the allegations "a desperate partisan distraction from the historic work of this Administration."[^41]
The Banker reported on October 2, 2026 that Andriesz, 57, "has died by suicide," citing a statement from [[Andy Agathangelou]], founder of the [[Transparency Task Force]], that he "passed away last week."[^41]
A second FBI intake form, dated October 19, 2020 and recorded as received at 12:11 PM EDT, is marked "UNCLASSIFIED" and bears the case ID 50D-NY-3027571 and the caption "(U) EPSTEIN, JEFFREY; CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING." It records that at 11:43 AM Eastern Time a person whose name and details are redacted "called the FBI National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) to report information about Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, who could be connected to Jeffrey Epstein." The form states that the caller "acted as an internal whistleblower after witnessing some financial irregularities. The CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, was Jeffrey Epstein's neighbor and he believes some of the suspicious financial activities could be related to Epstein's case." It adds that "[redacted] does a huge amount of charity work relating to 9/11 because Cantor Fitzgerald lost many employees that day, but he thinks the charity day is fraudulent," that the person "has documentation he is willing to provide to the FBI to back these claims," that he "claims that Cantor Fitzgerald retaliated against him after he was a whistleblower," and that he "has also submitted this documentation to the [[Internal Revenue Service]]."[^42]
An FD-302 in the same case, serial 593, records a telephone interview on February 16, 2021 (date of entry 04/05/2021; date drafted 03/17/2021; file numbers 272-NY-0 and 50D-NY-3027571) of a person whose name is redacted, who "had been in the securities business for 32 years," "was at [redacted] from 2012 to 2017," and "held a Series 30 license." The form refers to "the fraud allegations [redacted] made in his initial complaint to the FBI." The form records that "[redacted] advised [redacted] and CANTOR FITZGERALD were well known for money laundering" and that "HOWARD LUTNICK (LUTNICK) ran everything and he maintained a very small circle. LUTNICK instructed all of the fraud being committed. He used philanthropy as a smokescreen for illegal activity." On the firm's annual charity day the form records: "Charity days raised $9-10 million each year, and [redacted] thought it was strange it raised nearly the same amount every year." The third page records that the interviewee "advised he has never interacted with LUTNICK" and "had never met EPSTEIN or MAXWELL," and that he "was working with the COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION (CFTC) and he was eligible for their whistleblower program." The first page carries the legend "This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI." Each page carries the legend "SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER PARAGRAPHS 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 17."[^43]
On January 30, 2025 a research analyst of the FBI's Enterprise Vetting Center wrote to recipients whose names are redacted, at 12:15 PM, under the subject "Expedite ARMS Reach - Howard William Lutnick" followed by the classification suffix "UNCLASSIFIED" (the message is marked "Classification: UNCLASSIFIED" and "Transitory"), that the "ARMS Reach program processes vetting requests for individuals who are going to be within arm's reach of the President of the [[United States]]," and that Lutnick "is listed in the following [PENDING CASE(s)]: 272-NY-0 Serial 197 and 50D-NY-3027571 Serial 530." The reply, sent at 17:48:18 +0000 the same day under the subject "RE: Expedite ARMS Reach - Howard William Lutnick" with the same suffix, reads: "I think you are referencing serial 195 in the 272-NY-0 subfile, not 197. This was an intake interview related to the Guardian in serial 196 where HOWARD LUTNICK was accused of fraud and money laundering. We did not open an investigation as a result of these allegations." The reply does not name the person who made the accusation.[^44]
At the House interview, asked whether his "interactions with Jeffrey Epstein" were "ever discussed or examined in the course of your nomination or vetting process for your current position," Lutnick answered "I don't remember that, no," and asked whether he had ever been questioned by any law enforcement agency in connection with an investigation related to Epstein or [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], "No" (p. 93).[^45]
The caller said he had become a whistleblower after uncovering "fraud, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, and regulatory breaches," described a "global Ponzi share" scheme in which more than 3,500 BGC employees were "forced to contribute 10% of their earnings," and said Lutnick "is deeply rooted to the royal family" and used his charities as a "smokescreen." He said he believed he had documents "which could link Lutnick to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell": that Ghislaine Maxwell and [[Sarah Ferguson]] hosted "La Dolce Vita Parties" to which Lutnick made "huge donations," and that "Epstein also sold Lutnick a house for $10 dollars through a trust fund, which was then sold for millions shortly after prior to the money going overseas." He called Lutnick's gifts to [[Haverford College]] suspicious but "cannot prove any illegal activity concerning this aspect."[^40] The recorded conveyance of 11 East 71st Street ran from Epstein to Comet Trust in 1996 and from Comet Trust to Lutnick in 1998.[^1]
The FBI's own queries found that Sentinel and Guardian searches for Lutnick "revealed 26 results in the NY division case files," including a restricted closed case "concerning money laundering" and a control file "concerning a RICO violations/real estate scheme," and that a DIVS query "revealed 34 results, including three SAR's." The form notes: "Queries were not conducted on Epstein and Maxwell due to the sensitive nature of the case."[^40] No charge against Lutnick has been reported, and the Commerce Department has said he "has never been accused of wrongdoing."[^1]
### Senate and House Questioning
At a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on February 10, 2026, Lutnick acknowledged the 2012 island visit, saying, "My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies," and that after first meeting Epstein as a neighbor, "Over the next 14 years, I met him two other times that I can recall."[^3] Senator [[Chris Van Hollen]], the subcommittee's ranking member, told him that "the issue is not that you engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, but that you totally misrepresented the extent of your relationship with him to the Congress, to the American people, and to the survivors of his despicable criminal and predatory acts."[^3] Senator [[Jeff Merkley]] listed eight interactions in the files after 2005, including a possible telephone call and an effort to schedule drinks, and said the planned family trip "sounds like somebody you know well enough to call up."[^3] Senator [[Jacky Rosen]] called the same day for his resignation, saying he had "clearly misled the American people."[^7] Representative [[Robert Garcia]], ranking member of the [[House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Oversight Committee]], said: "He said he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, yet we now know they were in business together."[^1]
At a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on February 10, 2026, Lutnick acknowledged the 2012 island visit, saying, "My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies," and that after first meeting Epstein as a neighbor, "Over the next 14 years, I met him two other times that I can recall."[^3] Senator [[Chris Van Hollen]], the subcommittee's ranking member, told him that "the issue is not that you engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, but that you totally misrepresented the extent of your relationship with him to the Congress, to the American people, and to the survivors of his despicable criminal and predatory acts."[^3] Senator [[Jeff Merkley]] listed eight interactions in the files after 2005, including a possible telephone call and an effort to schedule drinks, and said the planned family trip "sounds like somebody you know well enough to call up."[^3] Senator [[Jacky Rosen]] called the same day for his resignation, saying he had "clearly misled the American people."[^46] Representative [[Robert Garcia]], ranking member of the [[House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Oversight Committee]], said: "He said he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, yet we now know they were in business together."[^1]
The Commerce Department's statement called the reporting "nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration's accomplishments" and said that "Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."[^1] In a closed-door House Oversight interview whose transcript was released in May 2026, Lutnick said he had "no recollection of anything being discussed" on the island, adding, "If you said chitchat, I'd go with that," and "'Discussed' sounds like there was like a discussion, which I don't think there was."[^8] He remained in office.
On October 3, 2013 Richard Kahn sent Epstein an email with a PDF attachment; the body text begins "Attached is resume of Lutnick nanny." At the House interview, a questioner said that "a nanny that was in your employ had sent her resume to Mr. Epstein. Do you know anything about that?" Lutnick answered: "I have no knowledge about it at all." Asked to confirm that he "never encouraged any of the nannies that were under your employment to reach out to Mr. Epstein in any respect," he answered: "That's correct. None" (p. 71). Later a questioner asked whether he knew the name of the person in question ("No"), then showed Minority Exhibit G, read from the body "Attached is a resume of Lutnick nanny," and asked whether the person named in the subject line was the nanny who accompanied the family to Epstein's island; Lutnick answered "I don't know" (pp. 93-94).[^47]
The Commerce Department's statement called the reporting "nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration's accomplishments" and said that "Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."[^1] In a closed-door House Oversight interview whose transcript was released in May 2026, Lutnick said he had "no recollection of anything being discussed" on the island, adding, "If you said chitchat, I'd go with that," and "'Discussed' sounds like there was like a discussion, which I don't think there was."[^48] He remained in office.
### Footnotes
[^1]: Ruetenik, Daniel, and Graham Kates. "Lutnick and Epstein were in business together, Epstein files show." *CBS News,* updated February 7, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/howard-lutnick-jeffrey-epstein-in-business-together/
[^2]: U.S. Department of Commerce, leadership biography of Howard Lutnick. https://www.commerce.gov/about/leadership/howard-lutnick
[^3]: "Under fire for Epstein ties, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defends visiting his private island." *NBC News,* February 10, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/howard-lutnick-jeffrey-epstein-island-rcna258333
[^4]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00654552, DataSet 9, email from Lesley Groff to Jeffrey Epstein, April 4, 2011; EFTA01868626, DataSet 10, email from Lesley Groff, "Howard Lutnick Sunday 5pm," April 27, 2011; EFTA02189429, DataSet 10, calendar alarm "5:00 Drinks w/Howard Lutnick," May 1, 2011. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00654552.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01868626.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02189429.pdf
[^5]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00401048, DataSet 9, email from Lesley Groff to Howard Lutnick, November 20, 2012; EFTA02152992, DataSet 10, calendar alert, December 20, 2012; EFTA02152944, DataSet 10, calendar alert, December 21, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00401048.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152992.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152944.pdf
[^6]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249210, DataSet 9, FBI FD-71A Guardian Complaint Form, "Alleged Money Laundering by Howard Lutnick via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald," April 23, 2021. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249210.pdf
[^7]: Office of Senator Jacky Rosen, press release calling for Lutnick's resignation, February 10, 2026. https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/02/10/after-secretary-of-commerce-howard-lutnick-admits-to-visiting-jeffrey-epsteins-island-in-2012-rosen-calls-for-his-resignation/
[^8]: *MS NOW,* May 2026, on the released transcript of Lutnick's House Oversight interview. https://www.ms.now/news/howard-lutnick-minimizes-epstein-island-visit-in-newly-released-testimony-transcript
[^4]: CF Acquisition Corp. VI, prospectus (Form 424B4), February 19, 2021, management biography of Howard W. Lutnick. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1830081/000121390021010621/f424b4_cffinance6.htm ; Cantor Equity Partners, Inc., prospectus (Form 424B4), 2024. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1865602/000121390024068145/ea0204552-10.htm
[^5]: "Under fire for Epstein ties, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defends visiting his private island," *NBC News,* February 10, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/howard-lutnick-jeffrey-epstein-island-rcna258333
[^6]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00654552, DataSet 9, email from Lesley Groff to Jeffrey Epstein, April 4, 2011; EFTA01868626, DataSet 10, email from Lesley Groff, "Howard Lutnick Sunday 5pm," April 27, 2011; EFTA02189429, DataSet 10, calendar alarm "5:00 Drinks w/Howard Lutnick," May 1, 2011. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00654552.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01868626.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02189429.pdf
[^7]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00401048, DataSet 9, email from Lesley Groff to Howard Lutnick, November 20, 2012; EFTA02152992, DataSet 10, calendar alert, December 20, 2012; EFTA02152944, DataSet 10, calendar alert, December 21, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00401048.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152992.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152944.pdf
[^8]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00398732, DataSet 9, email from Lesley Groff, "Re: Jeffrey Epstein," December 21, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398732.pdf
[^9]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02438886, DataSet 11, email "HOward Lutnick," October 19, 2009. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02438886.pdf
[^10]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 9-10, 18, 19, 31-32. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^11]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02360594, DataSet 11, email "reminder Howard Lutnick," April 5, 2011; EFTA01866662, DataSet 10, email from Jeffrey Epstein to Lesley Groff, April 26, 2011; EFTA02546526, DataSet 11, email "Howard Lutnick," October 28, 2011. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02360594.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01866662.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02546526.pdf
[^12]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00289560, DataSet 9, AdFin Solutions, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Exhibit A, Schedule of Purchasers, EFTA00289583 to EFTA00289585; EFTA00796718, DataSet 9, AD/FIN presentation, cap table as of 1.4.18 (page EFTA00796738). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289560.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00796718.pdf
[^13]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00289560, DataSet 9, AdFin Solutions, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 28, 2012, counterpart signature pages EFTA00289580 and EFTA00289581 (purchase agreement), EFTA00289633 and EFTA00289634 (Investors' Rights Agreement), EFTA00289651 and EFTA00289652 (Right of Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement), EFTA00289668 and EFTA00289669 (Voting Agreement); Exhibit A, Schedule of Purchasers, EFTA00289583 to EFTA00289585. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289560.pdf
[^14]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00289560, DataSet 9, letter agreement of July 2013, EFTA00289678 to EFTA00289680; EFTA00289722, DataSet 9, stock certificate PA-7 for 800,000 Series A shares, July 23, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289560.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289722.pdf
[^15]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 9, 26 to 30, 87 to 89. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^16]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00399317, DataSet 9, email from "Lutnick, Howard" to Jeffrey Epstein, "Sunday," December 19, 2012 (header dated December 20, 2012 00:48 UTC); EFTA00399319, DataSet 9, email from Jeffrey Epstein, "Re: Sunday," December 20, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00399317.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00399319.pdf
[^17]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00398728, DataSet 9, email chain "Re: hi," December 21, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398728.pdf
[^18]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02152290, DataSet 10, email "Lutnick," December 23, 2012; EFTA02152298, DataSet 10, email "RE: Lutnick," December 23, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152290.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152298.pdf
[^19]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 22 to 23. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^20]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02155312, DataSet 10, Google Calendar reminder, November 21, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02155312.pdf
[^21]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 22, 34-35, 70-71, 84-86. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^22]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00398744, DataSet 9, email of December 24, 2012, attachment "TopTenDB.pdf"; EFTA00398745, DataSet 9, email chain of December 24, 2012 with reply "Thanks!" https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398744.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398745.pdf
[^23]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00398076, DataSet 9, email of January 8, 2013 (attachment "20130108114617637.pdf"); EFTA00398140 and EFTA00398150, DataSet 9, replies of January 8 and 9, 2013; EFTA02149688, DataSet 10, email of January 29, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398076.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398140.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398150.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02149688.pdf
[^24]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00642384, DataSet 9, email from David Mitchell to Jeffrey Epstein, May 4, 2013; House transcript, p. 28. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00642384.pdf
[^25]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00289541, DataSet 9, Note Purchase Agreement dated December 26, 2013, signature page EFTA00289550; EFTA00289527, DataSet 9, stockholder consent, signature pages EFTA00289531 and EFTA00289532. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289541.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00289527.pdf
[^26]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01942504, DataSet 10, email from David Mitchell to Jeffrey Epstein, January 7, 2014. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01942504.pdf
[^27]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01084694, DataSet 9, letter from David J. Mitchell, February 16, 2016, with Exhibit A (page EFTA01084696) and investor presentation (page EFTA01084707). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01084694.pdf
[^28]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00877345, DataSet 9, email chain "AD/FIN Update & Financing," January 26 to February 26, 2018; EFTA00836715, DataSet 9, Richard Kahn to Jeffrey Epstein, April 13, 2018; EFTA00796718, DataSet 9, AD/FIN presentation, slide 21 (page EFTA00796738). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00877345.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00836715.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00796718.pdf
[^29]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01050772, DataSet 9, email chain "Re: thanks for letting me know," May 28, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01050772.pdf
[^30]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00873540 and EFTA00873541, DataSet 9, emails of July 10, 2013; EFTA02573653, DataSet 11, thread "Re: HL Loan - CD/SM call note 8.8.13," August 9, 2013; EFTA01107738, DataSet 9, term sheet of August 29, 2013; EFTA01958492 and EFTA01958705, DataSet 10, thread "Term Sheet from Cantor Fitzgerald to Mr. T," September 2, 2013; EFTA01141453, DataSet 9, draft "Agreement for Referrals"; EFTA01949796 and EFTA01949827, DataSet 10, emails of November 16, 2013; Companies House, "URRAMOOR LIMITED," company number 08424933, persons with significant control, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08424933/persons-with-significant-control . https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00873540.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02573653.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01107738.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01958492.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01141453.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01949827.pdf
[^31]: Verity, Andy, Rob Byrne and Ben Milne. "How US commerce secretary's Epstein links were uncovered by British whistleblower." *BBC News,* July 14, 2026. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q28dlyxrzo
[^32]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02568733, DataSet 11, forwarded message of November 8, 2017 from John Paulson. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02568733.pdf
[^33]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00957552, DataSet 9, emails of November 8 and 14, 2017; EFTA02568733, DataSet 11, emails of November 8 and 9, 2017, "UJA Wall Street Dinner honoring Howard Lutnick." https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00957552.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02568733.pdf
[^34]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02228507 and EFTA00462704, DataSet 11 and DataSet 9, emails of November 9, 2017, "Jeffrey Epstein-UJA Wall Street Dinner Donation." https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02228507.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00462704.pdf
[^35]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01187332, DataSet 9, email from the Dubin Breast Center, "A special invitation from Eva Andersson-Dubin, MD," November 14, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01187332.pdf
[^36]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00527007, DataSet 9, email "Re: A special invitation from Eva Andersson-Dubin, MD," November 14, 2012. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00527007.pdf
[^37]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01141329, DataSet 9, email from the Dubin Breast Center, November 20, 2013. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01141329.pdf
[^38]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00811560, DataSet 9, Dubin Breast Center letter of September 13, 2017 with response form. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00811560.pdf
[^39]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 68-69. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^40]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249210, DataSet 9, FBI FD-71A Guardian Complaint Form, "Alleged Money Laundering by Howard Lutnick via BGC Financial and Cantor Fitzgerald," April 23, 2021. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249210.pdf
[^41]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01684300, DataSet 10; EFTA01648946, DataSet 10, email of July 24, 2025, "Epstein - Cellmate Interview"; U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, p. 30; Andy Verity, Rob Byrne and Ben Milne, "How US commerce secretary's Epstein links were uncovered by British whistleblower," *BBC News,* July 14, 2026, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q28dlyxrzo ; U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, release 8083-19, November 22, 2019, https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/8083-19 ; Chris Newlands, "Whistleblower who flagged Lutnick's links to Epstein dies," *The Banker,* October 2, 2026, https://www.thebanker.com/content/02286d53-0338-42ef-996d-5f7712b9f133
[^42]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249205, DataSet 9, FBI Intake, October 19, 2020 (second page EFTA01249206). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249205.pdf
[^43]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01249207, DataSet 9, FD-302, 50D-NY-3027571 Serial 593, interview of February 16, 2021 (continuation pages EFTA01249208 and EFTA01249209). https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01249207.pdf
[^44]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00173881, DataSet 9, email chain "Expedite ARMS Reach - Howard William Lutnick," January 30, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00173881.pdf
[^45]: U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, p. 93. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^46]: Office of Senator Jacky Rosen, press release calling for Lutnick's resignation, February 10, 2026. https://www.rosen.senate.gov/2026/02/10/after-secretary-of-commerce-howard-lutnick-admits-to-visiting-jeffrey-epsteins-island-in-2012-rosen-calls-for-his-resignation/
[^47]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA00971793, DataSet 9, email from Richard Kahn to Jeffrey Epstein, October 3, 2013; U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, transcribed interview of Howard Lutnick, May 6, 2026, pp. 71, 93-94. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00971793.pdf ; https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lutnick-Transcript.pdf
[^48]: *MS NOW,* May 2026, on the released transcript of Lutnick's House Oversight interview. https://www.ms.now/news/howard-lutnick-minimizes-epstein-island-visit-in-newly-released-testimony-transcript

40
10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/Garry Nolan.md
View file

@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ relations:
- type: employed_by
with: "[[Stanford University]]"
role: "Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine"
fn: 13
fn: 14
- type: director_of
with: "[[Nodality]]"
start: 2009-10-19
@ -47,19 +47,20 @@ relations:
- type: member_of
with: "[[To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science]]"
start: 2017-08-15
role: "named to the advisory board in the Regulation A offering circular of August 15, 2017, with Christopher Mellon, Adele Gilpin, Norman Kahn, Colm Kelleher and Paul Rapp"
fn: 8
end: 2018-08-31
role: "named to the advisory board in the Regulation A offering circular of August 15, 2017, with Christopher Mellon, Adele Gilpin, Norman Kahn, Colm Kelleher and Paul Rapp; resignation effective August 31, 2018 reported in the company's Form 1-SA"
fn: 9
- type: founded
with: "[[Sol Foundation]]"
start: 2023-08-15
role: "co-founder; director (0 hours, no compensation) on the 2024 Form 990"
fn: 9
fn: 10
- type: member_of
with: "[[UAP Science Advisory Council]]"
start: 2026-06
role: "materials science and molecular biology, on the list Avi Loeb supplied to DefenseScoop"
fn: 15
updated: 2026-10-03
fn: 16
updated: 2026-10-04
created: 2026-10-03
---
Garry Nolan is a leading research scientist at [[Stanford University]], specializing in genetics, immunology, and bioinformatics. He trained under Nobel Prize-winning biologist [[David Baltimore]] and has published over 200 research papers and holds twenty biotechnology patents[^1].
@ -92,15 +93,15 @@ Securities filings name Nolan as a director or executive officer of a series of
### Advisory boards
The Regulation A offering circular of [[To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science]] filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2017 lists an advisory board of [[Christopher Mellon]], [[Adele Gilpin]], [[Norman Kahn]], [[Colm Kelleher]], Nolan and [[Paul Rapp]], gives Nolan's chair as the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professorship in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (the November 2024 letter to Congress gives the Department of Pathology), and describes Nolan as "the founder" of "several successful biotechnology companies" who "is an outspoken proponent of translating public investment in basic research to serve the public welfare."[^8]
The Regulation A offering circular of [[To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science]] filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2017 lists an advisory board of [[Christopher Mellon]], [[Adele Gilpin]], [[Norman Kahn]], [[Colm Kelleher]], Nolan and [[Paul Rapp]], gives Nolan's chair as the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professorship in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (the November 2024 letter to Congress gives the Department of Pathology), and describes Nolan as "the founder" of "several successful biotechnology companies" who "is an outspoken proponent of translating public investment in basic research to serve the public welfare."[^8] The company's Form 1-SA for the six months ended June 30, 2018, filed September 26, 2018, reports that "Advisory Board member Dr. Garry Nolan resigned, effective August 31, 2018."[^9]
### Sol Foundation and later activity
Nolan co-founded the [[Sol Foundation]] with [[Peter Skafish]] and was introduced in 2023 as its "Executive Director of the Board." He said that because of his Stanford position he could not hold an officer role in an outside company and took no salary.[^9] The foundation's 2024 Form 990 lists him as a director at zero hours and zero compensation, and the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] master file gives his Redwood City address as the care-of address for the organization's records.[^9][^10] The foundation's website, read October 3, 2026, lists him as "Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Board."[^11] The November 2023 symposium was hosted by the Nolan Laboratory and the Stanford School of Medicine.[^12] He signed the November 12, 2024 letter to Congress urging passage of the review-board provisions of the [[Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act]], listing his chair as the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professorship in Pathology.[^13]
Nolan co-founded the [[Sol Foundation]] with [[Peter Skafish]] and was introduced in 2023 as its "Executive Director of the Board." He said that because of his Stanford position he could not hold an officer role in an outside company and took no salary.[^10] The foundation's 2024 Form 990 lists him as a director at zero hours and zero compensation, and the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] master file gives his Redwood City address as the care-of address for the organization's records.[^10][^11] The foundation's website, read October 3, 2026, lists him as "Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Board."[^12] The November 2023 symposium was hosted by the Nolan Laboratory and the Stanford School of Medicine.[^13] He signed the November 12, 2024 letter to Congress urging passage of the review-board provisions of the [[Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act]], listing his chair as the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professorship in Pathology.[^14]
In Encounters (2023), [[Diana Walsh Pasulka]] identified the figure she had called "James Master" in American Cosmic, a "world leading scientist" who had analyzed an alleged artifact, as Nolan.[^14] In June 2026 Nolan, Skafish and [[Tim Gallaudet]] were named by [[Avi Loeb]] among twelve members of a UAP Science Advisory Council that Loeb leads.[^15] The Sol Foundation described the council in a June 22, 2026 release as announced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence "with the support of the FBI"; Loeb wrote on June 16, 2026 that "I was tasked by the White House, the Pentagon's All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI, and the Intelligence Community, to assemble" it. A search of the Federal Register on October 3, 2026 returned no document naming the council, and no ODNI, AARO or White House release establishing it was located.[^16]
In Encounters (2023), [[Diana Walsh Pasulka]] identified the figure she had called "James Master" in American Cosmic, a "world leading scientist" who had analyzed an alleged artifact, as Nolan.[^15] In June 2026 Nolan, Skafish and [[Tim Gallaudet]] were named by [[Avi Loeb]] among twelve members of a UAP Science Advisory Council that Loeb leads.[^16] The Sol Foundation described the council in a June 22, 2026 release as announced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence "with the support of the FBI"; Loeb wrote on June 16, 2026 that "I was tasked by the White House, the Pentagon's All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI, and the Intelligence Community, to assemble" it. A search of the Federal Register on October 3, 2026 returned no document naming the council, and no ODNI, AARO or White House release establishing it was located.[^17]
The [[Federal Election Commission]] database lists contributions from a Garry Nolan of Redwood City, California who gives Stanford as his employer: $250 to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s 2016 campaign committee on April 7, 2016, $2,900 to [[Mike Levin]]'s congressional campaign on March 22, 2021, and small amounts through [[ActBlue]] to other Democratic candidates, most recently on October 28, 2024.[^17]
The [[Federal Election Commission]] database lists contributions from a Garry Nolan of Redwood City, California who gives Stanford as his employer: $250 to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s 2016 campaign committee on April 7, 2016, $2,900 to [[Mike Levin]]'s congressional campaign on March 22, 2021, and small amounts through [[ActBlue]] to other Democratic candidates, most recently on October 28, 2024.[^18]
### Footnotes
@ -112,12 +113,13 @@ The [[Federal Election Commission]] database lists contributions from a Garry No
[^6]: SEC Form D, PrognosDx Health, Inc., accessions 0001515122-11-000002, -000003 and -000004 (filed March 15, May 17 and June 28, 2011). https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1515122/000151512211000002/primary_doc.xml
[^7]: SEC Form D, Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (CIK 1711933), accessions 0001446933-17-000008 (first sale July 12, 2017, signed July 14, 2017) and 0001446933-18-000007 (first sale September 26, 2018, signed October 2, 2018), https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1711933/000144693317000008/primary_doc.xml ; Form 3, Garry Nolan, accession 0001104659-21-052709 (April 20, 2021); prospectus (424B4), accession 0001104659-21-051518 (April 19, 2021), "Management" and "Business" sections. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1711933/000110465921051518/tm212065-15_424b4.htm
[^8]: To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science Inc., Form 1-A, offering circular Part II and III, accession 0001144204-17-043466 (filed August 15, 2017), "Advisory Board." https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1710274/000114420417043466/v473169_partiiandiii.htm
[^9]: Micah Hanks, "The Sol Foundation: How a New Think Tank of Academics is Applying 'Cutting-Edge Research' to the UAP Mystery," *The Debrief*, September 12, 2023. https://thedebrief.org/the-sol-foundation-how-a-new-think-tank-of-academics-is-applying-cutting-edge-research-the-uap-mystery/
[^10]: IRS Form 990 for 2024, EIN 93-3649160; ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API record for the same EIN. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/933649160
[^11]: The Sol Foundation, home page, "People" section, https://thesolfoundation.org/ , read October 3, 2026.
[^12]: Micah Hanks, *The Debrief*, February 12, 2024. https://thedebrief.org/the-sol-foundation-academias-new-uap-think-tank-releases-videos-of-lectures-from-its-inaugural-symposium/
[^13]: Signatory entry in the letter of November 12, 2024, statement of Tim Gallaudet, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, hearing of November 13, 2024. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/GO/GO12/20241113/117721/HHRG-118-GO12-Wstate-GallaudetPhDRearAdmiralUSNavyRetT-20241113-SD001.pdf
[^14]: Nathaniel Rich, "Ufologists, Unite!," *The New York Review of Books*, April 18, 2024. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/ufologists-unite-american-cosmic-d-w-pasulka/ Sole source for the passages so cited.
[^15]: "New science advisory council forms to help US government 'resolve the UAP mystery,'" *DefenseScoop*, June 17, 2026. https://defensescoop.com/2026/06/17/new-science-advisory-council-forms-to-help-us-government-resolve-the-uap-mystery/
[^16]: Sol Foundation, release "Sol Foundation Co-Founders Named to UAP Science Advisory Council," June 22, 2026 (modified July 13, 2026), https://thesolfoundation.org/sol-foundation-co-founders-named-to-uap-science-advisory-council/ ; Avi Loeb, "More Details on the UAP Science Advisory Council," Medium (avi-loeb.medium.com), June 16, 2026, read in a Wayback Machine copy; Federal Register search for "UAP Science Advisory Council," https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents.json?conditions%5Bterm%5D=%22UAP+Science+Advisory+Council%22 (count 0 on October 3, 2026).
[^17]: Federal Election Commission, Schedule A receipts, contributor name "NOLAN, GARRY," city Redwood City, queried October 3, 2026 (twenty-five records, 2016 to 2024; employer given as Stanford University or Stanford University School of Medicine). The identity of the donor with the Stanford professor rests on the employer field only.
[^9]: To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science Inc., Form 1-SA, semiannual report for the period ended June 30, 2018, Item 2 (Other Information), SEC accession 0001144204-18-050766, filed September 26, 2018. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1710274/000114420418050766/tv503167_1sa.htm
[^10]: Micah Hanks, "The Sol Foundation: How a New Think Tank of Academics is Applying 'Cutting-Edge Research' to the UAP Mystery," *The Debrief*, September 12, 2023. https://thedebrief.org/the-sol-foundation-how-a-new-think-tank-of-academics-is-applying-cutting-edge-research-the-uap-mystery/
[^11]: IRS Form 990 for 2024, EIN 93-3649160; ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API record for the same EIN. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/933649160
[^12]: The Sol Foundation, home page, "People" section, https://thesolfoundation.org/ , read October 3, 2026.
[^13]: Micah Hanks, *The Debrief*, February 12, 2024. https://thedebrief.org/the-sol-foundation-academias-new-uap-think-tank-releases-videos-of-lectures-from-its-inaugural-symposium/
[^14]: Signatory entry in the letter of November 12, 2024, statement of Tim Gallaudet, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, hearing of November 13, 2024. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/GO/GO12/20241113/117721/HHRG-118-GO12-Wstate-GallaudetPhDRearAdmiralUSNavyRetT-20241113-SD001.pdf
[^15]: Nathaniel Rich, "Ufologists, Unite!," *The New York Review of Books*, April 18, 2024. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/ufologists-unite-american-cosmic-d-w-pasulka/ Sole source for the passages so cited.
[^16]: "New science advisory council forms to help US government 'resolve the UAP mystery,'" *DefenseScoop*, June 17, 2026. https://defensescoop.com/2026/06/17/new-science-advisory-council-forms-to-help-us-government-resolve-the-uap-mystery/
[^17]: Sol Foundation, release "Sol Foundation Co-Founders Named to UAP Science Advisory Council," June 22, 2026 (modified July 13, 2026), https://thesolfoundation.org/sol-foundation-co-founders-named-to-uap-science-advisory-council/ ; Avi Loeb, "More Details on the UAP Science Advisory Council," Medium (avi-loeb.medium.com), June 16, 2026, read in a Wayback Machine copy; Federal Register search for "UAP Science Advisory Council," https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents.json?conditions%5Bterm%5D=%22UAP+Science+Advisory+Council%22 (count 0 on October 3, 2026).
[^18]: Federal Election Commission, Schedule A receipts, contributor name "NOLAN, GARRY," city Redwood City, queried October 3, 2026 (twenty-five records, 2016 to 2024; employer given as Stanford University or Stanford University School of Medicine). The identity of the donor with the Stanford professor rests on the employer field only.