Ohio Billionaire Les Wexner Faces Congressional Deposition in Epstein Probe

Wexner's political donations under scrutiny as he is set to be questioned about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Les Wexner, Ohio's wealthiest man and a major political donor, is set to be deposed by members of Congress on Wednesday about his relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner, the founder and former CEO of L Brands, was listed as an alleged co-conspirator of Epstein in a 2019 FBI document, though Wexner's legal counsel says he was never a target or co-conspirator. Wexner has donated to numerous Ohio politicians on both sides of the aisle, and some have now chosen to donate those campaign funds to charities in light of the ongoing Epstein investigation.

Why it matters

Wexner's political donations have come under intense scrutiny as the Epstein scandal continues to unfold. The deposition could reveal new details about Wexner's relationship with the disgraced financier, which could have significant implications for the politicians who have accepted Wexner's campaign contributions over the years. This case highlights the challenges of vetting political donors and the potential risks of accepting funds from individuals with alleged ties to high-profile criminal investigations.

The details

Wexner was Epstein's personal financial adviser from 1987 to 2007, during which time Epstein reportedly misappropriated millions of dollars. In July 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges for crimes between 2002 and 2005, and he was found dead in a New York jail cell the following month. The U.S. Department of Justice began releasing the Epstein files in December 2019 after an act of Congress, and the U.S. House Oversight Committee will now depose Wexner in Ohio on Wednesday.

  • Wexner was Epstein's personal financial adviser from 1987 to 2007.
  • Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019.
  • Epstein was found dead in a New York jail cell in August 2019.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice began releasing the Epstein files in December 2019.
  • The U.S. House Oversight Committee will depose Wexner in Ohio on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Les Wexner

An 88-year-old Ohio billionaire and the founder and former CEO of L Brands, a retailing and marketing conglomerate that once included Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Express, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Wexner has been a major political donor in Ohio.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted child sex offender and disgraced financier who was Wexner's personal financial adviser from 1987 to 2007.

James Comer

The Republican chairman of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, which will depose Wexner.

Jon Husted

The Republican U.S. Senator from Ohio who has directed his campaign to donate Wexner's campaign contributions to charity.

Joyce Beatty

The Democratic U.S. Representative from Ohio who has donated Wexner's campaign contributions to organizations that support survivors of sex trafficking and abuse.

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What they’re saying

“As is standard with all deposition subpoenas, Committee staff coordinated in good faith with Mr. Wexner's legal counsel and are proceeding in accordance with established House and Committee procedures.”

— Austin Hacker, Spokesman for Rep. James Comer

“My thoughts are with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking and abuse. Mr. Wexner must answer all questions under oath. If he participated in or enabled these crimes, he must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative from Ohio

“Epstein was a profoundly evil man whose crimes destroyed countless innocent lives.”

— Mike Carey, U.S. Representative from Ohio

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of vetting political donors and the potential risks of accepting funds from individuals with alleged ties to high-profile criminal investigations. It raises questions about the responsibility of politicians to scrutinize their donors and the need for greater transparency around political contributions, especially from wealthy individuals with complex financial and personal histories.