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Deposition Transcripts · Segments · #8887
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8887
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8
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8
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Page 9
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Mr. Emmer. Do you have an opening statement that you would like to read? Secretary Lutnick. I do. Mr. Emmer. You may proceed. Secretary Lutnick. Chairman Comer, members of the committee, and committee staff, I unequivocally condemn the conduct attributed to Jeffrey Epstein and everyone who participated in his illegal activities. The survivors of his crimes deserve our respect and support. I voluntarily agreed to appear and answer questions in connection with this committee's investigation. I would like to begin by briefly describing my virtually nonexistent interactions with this individual who lived adjacent to my New York City home. In 1997, I purchased an unfinished townhouse as my family home in New York City. Renovations took several more years than expected due to the events of September 11th terrorist attacks and their impact on me, my family, and all of my coworkers in the World Trade Center. Approximately 8 years after our purchase, in 2005, my family and I finally moved into our new home, which happened to be adjacent to his residence. Shortly thereafter, my wife and I were invited by that individual to his residence for coffee. During this brief interaction that included my wife, me, and this individual, he made a crude and gross remark in my wife's presence, which caused us to cut the visit short and leave. Immediately following that brief initial meeting, as we walked back to our home, my wife and I discussed the encounter and that, given his clear lack of boundaries, I would never establish a personal or professional relationship with him. And that is exactly what I did. Following this 2005 interaction, my only other two interactions with Epstein over the ensuring -- ensuring -- ensuing 14 years were both meaningless and inconsequential. My second interaction occurred 6 years later, in 2011, when his staff initiated contact with my