Les Wexner Testifies: Claims Epstein Stole 'Vast Sums' and Denies Knowledge of Crimes
Retail billionaire Les Wexner has provided written testimony to a US House committee, stating he was 'duped' by the late Jeffrey Epstein and that Epstein stole 'vast sums' from his family. Wexner, the founder of L Brands, denied any knowledge of Epstein's sex crimes and claimed to have severed ties in 2007. However, Democratic lawmakers on the committee have pushed back, citing evidence of over a billion dollars transferred to Epstein and questioning the timeline of their relationship. The testimony comes amid a congressional investigation into Epstein's ties to the American elite.
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, retail tycoon Les Wexner has submitted written testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The billionaire founder of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Abercrombie & Fitch, claims he was a victim of a 'conman' who stole from him, while vehemently denying any awareness of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors. This article examines Wexner's claims, the counterarguments from lawmakers, and the complex financial relationship between the two men, as detailed in recent document releases.
Wexner's Core Testimony: Victim and Unwitting Associate
Les Wexner's statement to lawmakers paints a picture of a businessman who was profoundly deceived. He described himself as 'naive, foolish, and gullible' for trusting Jeffrey Epstein, whom he met in the mid-1980s and later hired to manage his immense wealth. According to his testimony, Wexner's wife, Abigail, discovered that 'Epstein had stolen vast sums from our family'. This revelation, which Wexner claims occurred around 2007, led him to 'irrevocably cut ties' with Epstein, revoking his power of attorney and firing him as his financial adviser.
Wexner's narrative seeks to create a clear demarcation between his professional association and Epstein's criminal activities. He stated, 'While others visited Epstein in jail and associated with him after his release, I did not. Nor did I witness, condone, or enable his crimes in any way.' He also directly addressed allegations made by victim Virginia Giuffre, asserting unwavering devotion to his wife and denying any infidelity.
Lawmakers' Pushback and the Financial Scale
Democratic members of the House committee have expressed deep skepticism regarding Wexner's account. Representative Robert Garcia, the committee's ranking Democrat, stated publicly that 'There is no single person that was more involved in providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes than Les Wexner.' Garcia cited evidence of 'over a billion dollars that was either transferred, provided in stocks, or given directly to Mr Epstein by Wexner.'
This staggering figure contradicts the image of a man who was merely defrauded. Lawmakers highlighted that Wexner appeared 'unaware' of much of this financial flow and seemed to downplay the depth of their personal connection, which included granting Epstein power of attorney and visiting his private island, Little Saint James.
Contradictions in the Timeline and Released Documents
The timeline presented by Wexner is challenged by documents recently released by the Department of Justice. While Wexner claims to have severed all ties in 2007, an email from June 2008 shows he wrote to Epstein after the financier's plea deal was announced. In the email, Wexner stated, 'Abigail told me the result. All I can say is I feel sorry. You violated your own number 1 rule always be careful.'
Other documents include rough notes from Epstein himself, which read, 'never ever, did anything without informing Les' and 'I would never give him up.' An apparent draft letter to Wexner referenced them having 'gang stuff' for over 15 years, suggesting a mutually beneficial, long-term partnership. A spokesperson for Wexner dismissed this letter as part of a 'pattern of untrue, outlandish, and delusional statements' by Epstein.
Legal Scrutiny and the Path Forward
The investigation has revealed that Wexner himself was scrutinized by law enforcement. An email from August 2019 indicates the FBI was looking into Wexner as a potential 'secondary coconspirator' in Epstein's crimes, though the bureau found 'limited evidence regarding his involvement.' Wexner's name appears more than a thousand times in the Epstein files, underscoring the centrality of their relationship to the broader inquiry.
The closed-door deposition, which lasted six hours, was conducted at Wexner's Ohio home. A video and transcript are slated for public release, which may provide further clarity on the discrepancies between Wexner's testimony and the documentary evidence.
In conclusion, Les Wexner's testimony attempts to frame his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein as one of victimhood and willful ignorance. However, the scale of the financial transfers, the contradictory timeline evidenced by their own communications, and the pointed skepticism from congressional investigators suggest a far more complex and entangled association. The upcoming release of the deposition materials will be crucial in assessing the full nature of their dealings and the extent of Wexner's knowledge during the years Epstein was committing his crimes.
