Full Breakdown
Les Wexner's Deposition: A Deep Dive into His Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
2/22/2026, 6:05:01 AM
Overview of the Deposition
Les Wexner, the former CEO of L Brands and founder of Victoria's Secret, recently testified before the House Oversight Committee regarding his long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner's deposition, which lasted nearly six hours, was prompted by renewed scrutiny following the release of documents that included references to Wexner as a potential co-conspirator in Epstein's crimes. During the deposition, Wexner characterized Epstein as a "world-class con man" and denied any knowledge of his criminal activities.
Key Allegations and Responses
Wexner claimed he was "naive, foolish, and gullible" for trusting Epstein, asserting that he had "completely and irrevocably cut ties" with him nearly 20 years ago after discovering that Epstein had misappropriated vast sums of money from his family. Wexner stated, "I never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity," and emphasized that he was not a participant or co-conspirator in any of Epstein's illegal activities.
However, Democratic lawmakers expressed skepticism regarding Wexner's assertions. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) stated, "There is no single person that was more involved in providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes than Les Wexner." He further claimed that Wexner's financial backing was crucial to Epstein's operations, saying, "There would be no Epstein island, there would be no Epstein plane, there would be no money to traffic women and girls without the support of Les Wexner."
Maria Farmer's Testimony
Maria Farmer, an Epstein survivor, accused Wexner of downplaying his relationship with Epstein during his deposition. Farmer alleged that she was abused by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell while working as an artist-in-residence at Wexner's estate in 1996. She claimed that Wexner's security personnel prevented her from leaving the property after the alleged assault. Farmer described her experience as traumatic and expressed disappointment in Wexner's denial of knowledge regarding her abuse.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Wexner's testimony has raised questions about the extent of his relationship with Epstein. While he maintains that he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities, documents released by the Department of Justice indicate that Wexner's name appears over 1,000 times in the Epstein files. Furthermore, an email from 2008 revealed that Wexner communicated with Epstein shortly after Epstein's guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor, contradicting Wexner's claims of having severed ties in 2007.
Official Statements and Responses
In his opening statement, Wexner expressed sympathy for Epstein's victims, stating, "The pain he inflicted upon them is unfathomable to me. My heart goes out to each of them." He reiterated his position that he had done nothing wrong and had nothing to hide. Wexner's spokesperson emphasized that he "honestly answered every question" during the deposition and reiterated his lack of knowledge regarding Epstein's illegal conduct.
What's Next?
The House Oversight Committee plans to continue its investigation into Epstein's network, with additional depositions scheduled for other high-profile figures connected to Epstein. The committee's ongoing inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of Epstein's operations and the individuals who may have facilitated or ignored his criminal conduct.
Conclusion
Les Wexner's deposition has reignited discussions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the implications of their financial ties. While Wexner maintains his innocence and ignorance regarding Epstein's crimes, the skepticism from lawmakers and survivors highlights the complexities of accountability in cases involving powerful individuals. The ongoing investigation will likely continue to shed light on the connections that enabled Epstein's abuse.
