New york: Dr. Peter Attia, a Canadian-American physician and well-known longevity expert, has resigned from his position as a CBS News contributor after the US Justice Department released files that included previously undisclosed emails between him and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to Anadolu Agency, the decision was revealed by two people familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity, as reported by the New York Times. Neither Attia nor CBS News immediately responded to requests for comment. A spokesman for Attia stated, 'Dr. Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun. As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS. He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time.'

CBS News had previously reported in January that Epstein had met with Attia and had been a patient of his. The scheduling records included notations for blood draws and follow-up appointments over several years. Recently released emails, disclosed by the Justice Department, suggest a notably friendly and more personal rapport between the two men. In a June 24, 2015 message, Attia wrote to Epstein, 'You (know) the biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can't tell a soul.'

A review by The Washington Post found that Attia's name appeared hundreds of times in the newly released documents. While Attia has not been accused of any misconduct related to Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking in 2019 and later died in federal custody the same year, authorities ruled his death a suicide. On Feb. 2, Attia shared a statement on the US social media company X's platform, stating, 'You deserve a complete and honest account of what did and did not happen. I apologize that I did not get this out sooner, but I want to be thorough.'

Attia further clarified, 'The purpose of the DOJ releasing these documents is clear: to identify individuals who participated in criminal activity, enabled it, or witnessed it. I am not in any of those categories, and there is no evidence to the contrary,' adding that his communications 'had nothing to do with (Epstein's) sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone,' and that he was never on Epstein's plane or his island, nor did he attend any of Epstein's 'sex parties.'

Dr. Attia runs a concierge-style medical practice aimed at helping patients extend both their lifespan and health span. With over one million subscribers on YouTube, he is recognized as one of the most influential voices in the rapidly growing field of longevity medicine.