Billionaire Ex-Victoria's Secret CEO Tied to Jeffrey Epstein Probe

Les Wexner, founder of L Brands, faces questioning by House Oversight Committee over his ties to the late financier

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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An 88-year-old billionaire businessman and former Victoria's Secret chief, Les Wexner, is the latest person to fall within the House Oversight Committee's investigative crosshairs in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Wexner, the founder of L Brands, has been named as a co-conspirator of Epstein in a recently uncovered FBI document from 2019. Documents allege Wexner helped Epstein build his wealth and later run his illicit empire, including claims that Epstein got "all of his money" from Wexner and that Wexner sold his Manhattan townhouse to Epstein for just $20.

Why it matters

The crimes of the late accused sex trafficker Epstein have gained new media attention in recent months after Congress forced the Department of Justice to disclose millions of pages of documents. Wexner's ties to Epstein raise questions about how Epstein amassed his vast wealth and influence, and whether Wexner was complicit in or aware of Epstein's alleged criminal activities.

The details

Documents released by the DOJ allege that Wexner was one of the key players in how Epstein built his wealth and later ran his illicit empire. A 2013 document titled 'Jeffrey Epstein Source of Wealth' said Wexner 'became a well-known client' of Epstein's financial management firm in 1987. Wexner also reportedly sold his Manhattan townhouse to Epstein for $20 million in 1998. Additionally, a 1991 document gave Epstein vast control over Wexner's finances via power of attorney.

  • In 1987, Wexner became a client of Epstein's financial management firm.
  • In 1998, Wexner sold his Manhattan townhouse to Epstein for $20 million.
  • In 1991, Wexner signed a document giving Epstein power of attorney over his finances.

The players

Les Wexner

An 88-year-old billionaire businessman and the founder of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret. Wexner has been named as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein in an FBI document.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late accused sex trafficker who had a close relationship with Wexner and allegedly amassed much of his wealth through Wexner.

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What they’re saying

“With his credibility and our trust in him destroyed, we immediately severed ties with him. We were able to recover some of the funds. The widely reported payments Mr. Epstein made to the charitable fund represented a portion of the returned monies. All of that money — every dollar of it — was originally Wexner family money.”

— Les Wexner (New York Times)

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee is scheduled to question Wexner on Wednesday morning about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The takeaway

The revelations about Wexner's close relationship with Epstein and the allegations that Epstein may have misappropriated vast sums of Wexner's money raise serious questions about how Epstein built his wealth and influence, and whether Wexner was aware of or complicit in Epstein's alleged criminal activities.