Billionaire Les Wexner says he was 'conned' by Jeffrey Epstein

The former Victoria's Secret CEO denies any wrongdoing, claiming Epstein was a 'world-class con man'.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Les Wexner, the 88-year-old former CEO of Victoria's Secret, testified before the House Oversight Committee that he was 'conned' by Jeffrey Epstein and had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities. Wexner denied being Epstein's 'co-conspirator' and said he was a victim who had been 'ripped off' by Epstein, a 'clever, diabolical, and master manipulator' who hid his 'unthinkable crimes' from Wexner.

Why it matters

Wexner's relationship with Epstein has come under intense scrutiny, with the FBI referring to Wexner as a possible 'co-conspirator' in the Epstein case. This testimony provides Wexner's side of the story and attempts to distance himself from any wrongdoing, though questions remain about the extent of his knowledge and involvement with Epstein's criminal activities.

The details

Wexner said he was introduced to Epstein in the mid to late 1980s, with Epstein being recommended by people at Bear Stearns and a member of the Rothschild family. Epstein managed Wexner's personal finances for over a decade in the 1990s and early 2000s. Wexner said he permanently parted ways with Epstein in 2007 after Epstein was charged with soliciting prostitution of a minor, and Wexner's wife Abigail discovered Epstein had stolen 'vast sums' from their family.

  • Wexner was introduced to Epstein in the mid to late 1980s.
  • Epstein managed Wexner's personal finances for over a decade in the 1990s and early 2000s.
  • In 2007, Wexner revoked Epstein's power of attorney, removed his access to their bank accounts, and forced him to resign from all affiliated entities after learning of Epstein's financial wrongdoing.
  • Wexner testified before the House Oversight Committee on February 18, 2026.

The players

Les Wexner

The 88-year-old former CEO of Victoria's Secret who testified that he was 'conned' by Jeffrey Epstein and had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.

Jeffrey Epstein

A 'world-class con man' who managed Wexner's personal finances for over a decade and was later revealed to have engaged in unthinkable crimes that Wexner claims he was unaware of.

Abigail Wexner

Les Wexner's wife who discovered that Epstein had stolen 'vast sums' from their family, leading them to revoke Epstein's power of attorney and cut ties with him in 2007.

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What they’re saying

“The other life he led, that we now know was full of unthinkable crimes, he most carefully and fully hid from me. He knew that I never would have tolerated his horrible behavior. Not any of it. At no time did I ever witness the side of Epstein's life for which he is now infamous.”

— Les Wexner, Former Victoria's Secret CEO (NBC News)

“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. Confronted with his financial wrongdoing by Abigail, Epstein agreed to, and did, return a substantial amount of money, even while continuing to maintain his total innocence of any wrongdoing, never dropping the con.”

— Les Wexner, Former Victoria's Secret CEO (NBC News)

What’s next

The House Oversight Committee will continue its investigation into the Epstein case and Wexner's involvement.

The takeaway

This testimony provides Wexner's perspective on his relationship with Epstein, portraying himself as a victim who was duped by a 'world-class con man.' However, questions remain about the extent of Wexner's knowledge and potential complicity in Epstein's crimes, underscoring the complex and troubling nature of the Epstein scandal.