Full Breakdown
Les Wexner Testifies on Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Amid Ongoing Investigations
2/20/2026, 2:19:57 AM
Overview of the Deposition
Billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner, former CEO of L Brands, which includes Victoria's Secret, testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on February 18, 2026, regarding his long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The deposition, conducted at Wexner's home in New Albany, Ohio, followed the release of extensive documents by the Department of Justice that raised new questions about Wexner's financial ties to Epstein.
Key Details from the Testimony
During the six-hour closed-door session, Wexner characterized himself as a victim of Epstein, stating, “I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man.” He denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, asserting, “I never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity.” Wexner claimed he severed ties with Epstein in 2007 after discovering that Epstein had misappropriated “vast sums” of money from his family.
Wexner admitted to visiting Epstein's private island once, describing the visit as brief and with family. He emphasized that he had no awareness of any wrongdoing during that time. Wexner's legal representatives have maintained that he was never charged with any crime related to Epstein and was viewed as a source of information rather than a target in the investigations.
Financial Connections and Allegations
Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Robert Garcia, expressed skepticism regarding Wexner's portrayal of their relationship, arguing that he played a significant role in facilitating Epstein's financial operations. Garcia stated, “There would be no Epstein island, there’d be no Epstein plane, there’d be no money to traffic women and girls without the support of Les Wexner.” He highlighted that over $1 billion was transferred from Wexner to Epstein, raising concerns about the extent of Wexner's involvement.
Wexner's name appears over 1,000 times in the Epstein files, which has fueled ongoing scrutiny. Allegations from Epstein survivors, including Virginia Giuffre, have implicated Wexner in Epstein's trafficking network, claims that Wexner has consistently denied.
Criticism and Opposition
Democratic committee members criticized Wexner's testimony as evasive and implausible. Rep. Stephen Lynch remarked, “There’s no question in my mind, given the evidence so far, that Les Wexner knew about this and failed to stop it.” Rep. Yassamin Ansari echoed these sentiments, questioning Wexner's credibility and suggesting that his claims of ignorance were difficult to believe given the depth of their relationship.
Official Statements & Responses
In his prepared statement, Wexner expressed regret for his association with Epstein, stating, “To my enormous embarrassment and regret, I, like many others, was duped by a world-class con man.” He also acknowledged the pain inflicted on Epstein's victims, saying, “The pain he inflicted upon them is unfathomable to me. My heart goes out to each of them.”
What's Next
The House Oversight Committee plans to continue its investigation into Wexner's financial dealings and his relationship with Epstein. Lawmakers have indicated that further depositions and inquiries may follow as they seek to uncover the full extent of Epstein's network and the financial support that enabled his criminal activities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Wexner has not been charged with any wrongdoing, the characterization of him as a potential co-conspirator in FBI documents raises questions about the nature of his involvement. The committee's investigation will likely delve deeper into the financial transactions between Wexner and Epstein, as well as the implications of their long-standing relationship.
