US billionaire Les Wexner, former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, admitted to lawmakers that he was “naive, foolish, and gullible” for trusting Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. He claimed Epstein misappropriated “vast sums” of money from him and his family while acting as his financial adviser.
Wexner Denies Any Wrongdoing
Wexner testified before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door session on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities. Although a 2019 FBI document listed him as a potential co-conspirator, no charges were ever filed against Wexner.
During his testimony, he emphasized that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s illegal actions and denied participating in any wrongdoing. His spokesperson told the news that Wexner “honestly answered every question” and remains firm that he had no involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
Lawmakers Question Wexner’s Role
Some lawmakers suggested that Epstein would not have gained wealth or power without Wexner’s support. Congressman Robert Garcia said, “There would be no Epstein island, no Epstein plane, no money to traffic women and girls without Les Wexner.”
Only Democratic lawmakers attended the deposition in Ohio, where Wexner resides, while some Republican staff members observed. Afterward, the Democrats briefed reporters about the session.
Wexner Reflects on His Relationship with Epstein
In his public opening statement, Wexner described his relationship with Epstein as limited. He said, “I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a conman. While I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”
Wexner added that he briefly visited Epstein’s private island with his family. Their relationship began in the 1980s but ended after Epstein faced allegations of sexual abuse in Florida.
He also reiterated that Epstein had misappropriated significant sums of money from him and his family. Wexner said he wanted to “set the record straight” by cooperating fully with investigators.
Wexner’s Legal Standing
Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that Wexner’s name appears “thousands of times” in the Epstein files. Wexner’s legal team confirmed that in 2019, he was considered a source of information rather than a target. They also said he provided background details on Epstein and was never contacted again.
