Les Wexner, the 88-year-old former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, testified to the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that he was deceived by Jeffrey Epstein and had no involvement in the financier’s criminal activities. Wexner appeared remotely from his home in New Albany, Ohio, responding to a subpoena as part of Congress’s ongoing investigation into Epstein.
In a prepared statement provided to NBC News, Wexner denied allegations that he was Epstein’s “co-conspirator,” asserting that he “never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity.” He described Epstein as a “world-class con man” who maintained a secret life hidden even from him.
“I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide,” Wexner said. “I completely and irrevocably cut ties with Epstein nearly twenty years ago when I learned he was an abuser, a crook, and a liar.”
Wexner’s deposition lasted about six hours, during which he answered questions regarding his financial and personal relationship with Epstein. He explained that after learning of Epstein’s abusive conduct and financial misconduct, he revoked Epstein’s power of attorney in 2007, removed him from all affiliated entities, and recovered misappropriated funds.
Despite Wexner’s denials, some lawmakers expressed skepticism. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said Epstein’s operations, including his private island and jet, would not have been possible without Wexner’s financial support. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) suggested that Wexner was aware of Epstein’s wrongdoing but failed to intervene.
Wexner also addressed personal allegations, including claims by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who in 2016 testified that she was forced to have sexual encounters with Wexner. He strongly denied these accusations and affirmed that he has remained faithful to his wife Abigail for 36 years.
The testimony also revealed how Epstein initially came to work for Wexner. Introduced in the mid- to late 1980s through connections at Bear Stearns and the Rothschild family, Epstein initially offered financial guidance without compensation, gradually gaining Wexner’s trust before allegedly deceiving him.
Wexner has never been charged with any wrongdoing. A legal representative emphasized that Wexner fully cooperated with investigations into Epstein and was not considered a target or co-conspirator.
The deposition has reignited debate over Wexner’s legacy. The Ohio Nurses’ Association recently called for removing his name from Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center and other facilities he helped fund, citing the emotional impact on survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
In a 2019 letter to the Wexner Foundation, he expressed regret for ever crossing paths with Epstein, writing, “I deeply regret having ever crossed his path.”
