A billionaire businessman, once deeply connected to Jeffrey Epstein, is facing intense scrutiny. Les Wexner, identified as a co-conspirator in a 2019 FBI document, is being deposed by the House Oversight Committee as part of their investigation into the handling of the Epstein case.
Unlike previous testimonies conducted in Washington, the committee is traveling to Ohio to question Wexner in his home. This unusual move underscores the significance of his potential insights into Epstein’s network and financial dealings.
Wexner’s representatives have remained silent regarding the deposition, leaving open the possibility he may invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. However, should he cooperate, his testimony could prove crucial in unraveling the mystery surrounding Epstein’s wealth accumulation.
The 88-year-old Wexner built a retail empire, founding L Brands – the company behind Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Abercrombie & Fitch. But his connection to Epstein predates his retail success, beginning with Epstein’s role as his financial advisor.
Epstein wasn’t simply an advisor; he was granted power of attorney over Wexner’s considerable fortune. This access allowed Epstein to manage Wexner’s finances, a relationship that would later be described by Wexner himself as one of betrayal and financial exploitation.
The extent of Epstein’s access became chillingly clear when it was revealed Wexner sold Epstein a Manhattan townhouse. This property later became a focal point in accusations of abuse, identified by authorities as a location where Epstein allegedly victimized young women.
Despite his close ties to Epstein, Wexner has never faced criminal charges related to the pedophile’s crimes. However, a 2019 letter from Wexner to his charitable foundation details the unraveling of their relationship and accusations of financial wrongdoing.
In the letter, Wexner stated he ended his professional relationship with Epstein after the first investigations into Epstein’s crimes surfaced. He further alleged Epstein had misappropriated “vast sums of money” from him and his family, a discovery that shattered their trust.
Wexner claimed to have recovered some of the stolen funds, but acknowledged the financial loss paled in comparison to the horrific allegations that would later emerge against Epstein. The severance of ties, he wrote, was immediate and decisive.
Wexner is the fourth individual to be questioned by the House Oversight Committee. Previous depositions included former Attorney General Bill Barr, ex-Labor Secretary Alex Acosta – who oversaw the controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein – and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell’s deposition was brief, cut short when she invoked her Fifth Amendment rights, demanding clemency from former President Trump in exchange for her testimony. The committee’s pursuit of Wexner represents a new, potentially pivotal phase in the ongoing investigation.
The committee hopes Wexner’s testimony will illuminate the origins of Epstein’s wealth and expose the full extent of his network, finally bringing a greater understanding of how a man like Epstein was able to operate with such impunity for so long.
