Epstein's files reveal 'rotten culture' in US

In US, little blowback

In the US, the Epstein investigation and files have resulted in few ramifications for the people involved with him.

Newly released documents forced US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to admit that he visited Epstein's private island in December 2012 with his wife, children and nannies.

Lutnick made the admission during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, contradicting his previous claim that he had cut ties before Epstein was convicted in 2008.

In response to calls for Lutnick to resign, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday: "Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trump's team and the president fully supports the secretary."

It was also revealed Larry Summers, a former Treasury Secretary and Harvard's ex-president, had a close relationship with Epstein. At one point he was designated as a backup executor of Epstein's will. Summers went on leave from academic positions at Harvard late last year, however, he didn't resign and the university has so far resisted the call to terminate him.

In 2023, billionaire Black, who had visited Epstein's private island, paid $62.5 million to the US Virgin Islands to get immunity from potential legal action related to Epstein's sex-trafficking operation on the island. He was identified in a 2019 FBI document as a potential "co-conspirator" of Epstein's.

Black resigned as CEO and chairman of Apollo Global Management and gave up re-election as chairman of the Museum of Modern Art in 2021.

Investment bank JPMorgan Chase had a 15-year relationship with Epstein. Documents revealed that Epstein was flagged at least four times for suspicious activity between 2006 and 2011. Yet top executives overrode those concerns. The money enabled Epstein's crimes, and JP Morgan has so far paid $365 million to settle related cases.