NEW ALBANY, Ohio – Retail billionaire Leslie “Les” Wexner was deposed Wednesday by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as part of its investigation into his past ties with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Wexner, 88, submitted a written statement to the committee in which he said he was “naïve, foolish, and gullible” to have trusted Epstein, whom he described as a “con man.” He denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct and said he cut ties with him nearly two decades ago.
“I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide,” Wexner wrote. “I never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity. I was never a participant nor co-conspirator in any of Epstein’s illegal activities”.
In his statement, Wexner acknowledged the victims of Epstein’s abuse, saying the pain inflicted on survivors was “unfathomable” and expressing sympathy for them.
Wexner said he was introduced to Epstein in the 1980s through business contacts and later hired him to manage his personal finances, granting him power of attorney. He said that authority was revoked in 2007 after learning of financial misconduct and Epstein’s legal troubles in Florida.
“In September 2007, nine months before he pled guilty in Florida, we revoked Epstein’s power of attorney, removed his access to our bank accounts, and forced him to resign from all our affiliated entities,” Wexner wrote.
He said he never flew on Epstein’s plane and visited Epstein’s private island only once for a brief stop with his family. Wexner also said he never socialized in Epstein’s circle and never saw him in the company of minors.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to state prostitution charges in Florida, was later charged in 2019 with federal sex trafficking offenses. He died in a Manhattan jail cell that year while awaiting trial. Authorities ruled his death a suicide.
Wexner, founder and former CEO of L Brands, said his contact with Epstein “entirely terminated” after 2007 and that he has not spoken with him since.
The Oversight Committee has been examining financial and personal relationships surrounding Epstein as lawmakers seek to clarify who knew of his activities and when.