Wexner and Epstein: Billionaire Admits Naiveté in Relationship with Disgraced Financier
US billionaire Les Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, has described himself as “naive, foolish and gullible” for trusting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This admission came during a closed-door deposition before US lawmakers investigating Epstein’s crimes.
Allegations of Financial Exploitation
In a statement released at the start of the deposition, Wexner accused Epstein of stealing “vast sums” of money from his family while serving as his financial advisor. Despite these accusations, Wexner has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein’s criminal activities. He testified before a House committee as part of a broader probe into the Epstein case.
Potential Co-Conspirator Status
A 2019 FBI document identified Wexner as a potential co-conspirator in Epstein’s crimes, though no charges were ever filed against him. Lawmakers have questioned whether Wexner knowingly enabled Epstein’s abuse by granting him extensive control over his finances and failing to intervene despite awareness of his illicit behaviour. Wexner was compelled to testify before the House Oversight Committee following the release of thousands of documents related to Epstein’s misconduct. The committee travelled to Wexner’s home state of Ohio for the testimony.
Wexner’s Testimony and Defense
A spokesperson for the 88-year-old tycoon stated that Wexner “honestly answered every question” posed by the committee and reiterated his lack of knowledge or participation in Epstein’s illegal conduct. The deposition was attended solely by Democratic lawmakers, with Republicans represented only by staff members.
Congressman Robert Garcia of California stated after the session, “There would be no Epstein island, there’d be no Epstein plane… without the support of Les Wexner.”
Wexner’s opening statement, made public after the closed-door session, emphasized the limited nature of his relationship with Epstein and his lack of awareness regarding the convicted sex offender’s abuse. “I was naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein,” he said. “He was a conman. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.” He expressed his willingness to “set the record straight.”
History of the Relationship
Wexner admitted to visiting Epstein’s private island with his family for “a few hours.” Their relationship dates back to the 1980s, and Wexner claims he severed ties after Epstein was first accused of sexually abusing children in Florida. He also alleges that Epstein later misappropriated “vast sums of money” from him and his family – a claim he repeated during Wednesday’s testimony.
Ongoing Scrutiny
Wexner was identified as a potential co-conspirator in a 2019 FBI document, though a separate email noted “limited evidence regarding his involvement.” Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche previously stated that Wexner’s name “appears in the files thousands of times.” Wexner’s legal counsel has stated that he was viewed as a source of information, not a target, in the investigation and fully cooperated with authorities.
Further Reading: For more information on the Epstein case and related investigations, you can refer to The U.S. Department of Justice and BBC News’ coverage of Jeffrey Epstein.
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