US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday strongly denied having any substantive relationship with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during testimony before a Senate committee, even as lawmakers from both parties stepped up calls for his resignation following the release of new justice department files.
Appearing before a Senate appropriations panel, Lutnick said he had met Epstein only three times over a span of 14 years and rejected claims of any personal or professional association.
