Prominent people have been scrutinized for their visits to Jeffrey Epstein’s island in the Caribbean. Mr. Lutnick’s visit had not been previously disclosed.

Howard Lutnick, the billionaire businessman who serves as Trump’s commerce secretary, once planned a trip to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, according to documents that the Justice Department released on Friday.

The planned visit in 2012 came years after Mr. Lutnick has said he severed ties with Mr. Epstein.

In December 2012, the records show, Mr. Lutnick sent an email to Mr. Epstein saying that he had a group of people — including his wife and children and another family — who were visiting the Caribbean. He asked where Mr. Epstein was located and whether they could visit for a meal.