Les Wexner, the 88-year-old former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, testified to the House Oversight Committee Wednesday that he was deceived by Jeffrey Epstein and had no involvement in the late financier’s criminal activities. Wexner appeared via remote deposition 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” and said he “never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity.” He described Epstein as a “world-class con man” and stressed that he severed ties with him nearly two decades ago.
“I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide,” Wexner said in the statement. “I completely and irrevocably cut ties with Epstein nearly twenty years ago when I learned that he was an abuser, a crook, and a liar. At no time did I ever witness the side of Epstein’s life for which he is now infamous.”
The deposition lasted approximately six hours, during which Wexner answered questions regarding his financial and personal relationship with Epstein. Wexner said that after discovering Epstein’s abuse and financial misconduct, he revoked Epstein’s power of attorney in 2007 and forced him to resign from all affiliated entities, reclaiming misappropriated funds.
Wexner’s legal representatives emphasized that he has never been charged with any wrongdoing and has fully cooperated with authorities. A 2019 FBI document labeled him a possible “co-conspirator,” but Wexner has maintained that he was misled by Epstein’s double life.
Despite his denials, some lawmakers expressed skepticism. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) noted that Epstein’s wealth and operations would not have been possible without Wexner’s support. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) similarly stated that the evidence suggests Wexner knew of Epstein’s conduct but failed to intervene.
Wexner also addressed personal allegations, including claims made by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who in 2016 alleged sexual abuse involving Wexner. He strongly denied the accusations, asserting that he has been faithful to his wife Abigail for 36 years and never engaged in infidelity.
The deposition sheds light on how Epstein initially came to work for Wexner. Epstein, Wexner said, was introduced through Bear Stearns and a member of the Rothschild family. Initially, Epstein provided informal financial advice without compensation, gradually gaining Wexner’s trust before ultimately betraying it.
The testimony has reignited public debate over Wexner’s legacy. The Ohio Nurses’ Association has called for removing his name from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and other facilities, citing the lasting impact on survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
Wexner’s statement concludes with a note of regret. In a 2019 letter to his Wexner Foundation, he wrote, “I deeply regret having ever crossed [Epstein’s] path.”
