NEW ALBANY, Ohio (Journos News) – Les Wexner, the 88-year-old retired founder of retail giant L Brands, appeared before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday, characterizing his former adviser Jeffrey Epstein as a “world-class con man.” Wexner said he was unaware of Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors and denied participating in any wrongdoing.
“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man,” Wexner said in a statement released before his testimony. “While I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.” His remarks came after Democrats subpoenaed him following the Justice Department’s release of new documents detailing his financial and personal ties to Epstein.
During the six-hour session, Wexner portrayed himself as a philanthropist, family man, and ethical business leader who sought to clarify the record about his decades-long association with Epstein, which ended in 2007 after he discovered financial misappropriation. Ranking member Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said Wexner “answered every question asked of him” and that transcripts and video of the hearing would be released.
Congressional scrutiny and survivor claims
Some lawmakers and survivors remained skeptical. Rep. Robert Garcia, a California Democrat who attended the interview, said Wexner “was deeply involved in providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes,” referencing Epstein’s extensive network. Wexner has never been charged with any crime, though his name appears over 1,000 times in the Epstein files, reflecting the long-standing association rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
In court documents, Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre alleged that Wexner was among the men Epstein trafficked her to. Wexner testified that he had been devoted to his wife Abigail throughout their 33-year marriage and had never been unfaithful.
Early business ties and financial oversight
Epstein first met Wexner through a business associate around 1986, as Wexner expanded his retail empire, which included The Limited, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works, and other mall staples. Wexner granted Epstein power of attorney in 1991, allowing him to manage investments, real estate, and financial operations while Wexner developed New Albany, Ohio, into a suburban community.
Wexner described Epstein as a manipulative figure who cultivated legitimacy by connecting with wealthy individuals. He said he visited Epstein’s private island only once, briefly with his family, and maintained limited social contact with Epstein’s broader circle. Documents released show Epstein noting their close financial and personal ties over 15 years, though Wexner’s team called these claims “outlandish” and untrue.
Allegations of exploiting Victoria’s Secret
Some accusers said Epstein misrepresented his ties to Wexner to secure modeling opportunities. FBI testimony includes claims that Epstein pressured aspiring models to participate in Victoria’s Secret-related activities. Wexner’s lawyers told investigators that he had only heard rumors of Epstein using his brand name and confronted him, but Epstein denied such actions. Wexner repeatedly emphasized being deceived by Epstein’s conduct and called him “an abuser, a crook, and a liar.” L Brands sold Victoria’s Secret in 2020.
Ending the relationship and financial fallout
Wexner publicly disclosed after Epstein’s 2019 arrest that their relationship had ended in 2007. New Justice Department records show the two remained in limited contact in 2008 as Epstein served a state sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Wexner stated that Epstein had misappropriated substantial sums of his family fortune, though some funds were repaid. Congressional investigators have identified over $1 billion in assets transferred, in stock, or given by Wexner to Epstein, much of which Wexner said he was unaware of.
Continuing scrutiny
During testimony, Wexner acknowledged the “unfathomable” pain inflicted by Epstein’s crimes but denied seeing Epstein with minors. Some survivors, including Maria Farmer, note that Wexner’s long-standing association with Epstein continues to influence reputational and institutional considerations, such as calls to remove his name from facilities at Ohio State University, including the Wexner Medical Center and campus football complex.
Source: AP News – Billionaire Les Wexner says he was ‘duped’ by adviser Jeffrey Epstein, ‘a world-class con man’
