Billionaire retail executive Les Wexner has told US lawmakers that his long-scrutinized association with Jeffrey Epstein was built on misplaced trust, describing himself as “naive” and insisting he was deceived rather than complicit.
Appearing before the House Oversight Committee, Wexner pushed back against allegations that he played any role in Epstein’s criminal conduct or financial rise. The testimony followed renewed attention on Epstein-related records and years of public questions surrounding the origins of the financier’s wealth.
“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein,” Wexner said in his opening remarks. “He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”
Lawmakers have examined whether Wexner, the former head of Victoria’s Secret, had knowledge of Epstein’s activities. Some committee members argued that Epstein’s financial empire could not have taken shape without Wexner’s early backing.
“We should be very clear that there would be no Epstein island, there’d be no Epstein plane, there’d be no money to traffic women and girls,” said Robert Garcia. “Mr Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was without the support of Les Wexner.”
Wexner rejected those assertions, telling lawmakers his interactions with Epstein were limited and that he severed ties decades ago after accusations of abuse surfaced in Florida. He also repeated claims that Epstein improperly diverted funds while acting as his financial adviser.
Wexner stated that he later discovered Epstein “had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family,” emphasizing that he viewed himself as a victim of fraud rather than a beneficiary of Epstein’s schemes.
Investigative records have previously referenced Wexner’s name. A 2019 document from the FBI labeled him a potential “co-conspirator,” while also noting what it called “limited evidence regarding his involvement.” No charges were filed.
Separately, Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche has said Wexner’s name appears extensively within Epstein-related materials, a detail that has fueled ongoing public debate but has not resulted in legal action against the businessman.
Wexner’s legal team has maintained that he was never treated as a suspect. In a prior statement to BBC, his lawyers said: “The Assistant US Attorney told Mr Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr Wexner was being viewed as source of information about Epstein and was not a target in any respect.
“Mr Wexner co-operated fully by providing background information on Epstein and was never contacted again.”
Committee members traveled to Ohio, Wexner’s home state, to conduct the deposition. Only Democratic lawmakers attended in person, though some Republican staff were present.
Wexner told the panel he was “pleased to testify” and wanted “to set the record straight,” acknowledging that he had once visited Epstein’s private island briefly with family members but denying any awareness of criminal activity.
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