Democrats Depose Billionaire Les Wexner in Epstein Inquiry

Wexner called himself 'naïve, foolish, and gullible' for trusting Epstein in a statement issued Wednesday.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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House Oversight Committee Democrats deposed Ohio billionaire Les Wexner on Wednesday as part of Congress' investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner, the founder of L Brands and longtime owner of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, employed Epstein as a financial adviser for years before severing ties. In a prepared statement, Wexner said he was 'conned' by Epstein and 'did nothing wrong.'

Why it matters

The deposition placed one of Epstein's most prominent former associates under oath before federal lawmakers, advancing a long-running effort to clarify what business and personal ties enabled Epstein's abuse network and who, if anyone, facilitated or ignored criminal conduct. Wexner's testimony addressed questions raised by federal files and by survivors about how Epstein gained access to wealth, property, and potential victims.

The details

Lawmakers from the House Oversight Committee deposed Wexner at his New Albany home on Wednesday after voting last month to subpoena him as part of the panel's broader Epstein inquiry. In prepared remarks, Wexner said he had been 'conned' by Epstein, stated he 'did nothing wrong,' and insisted he never witnessed nor knew of Epstein's criminal activity, while emphasizing that he cut ties nearly 20 years ago. DOJ records released under congressional directive included July and August 2019 FBI emails that referenced Wexner as a potential or 'secondary' co-conspirator but stated there was 'limited evidence regarding his involvement.'

  • On Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Democrats deposed Ohio billionaire Les Wexner.
  • In 2019, the DOJ released records that referenced Wexner as a potential co-conspirator in the Epstein case.

The players

Les Wexner

An 88-year-old Ohio billionaire who founded L Brands and owned Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. He employed Jeffrey Epstein as a financial adviser for years before severing ties.

House Oversight Committee

A U.S. congressional committee that is investigating Jeffrey Epstein and has deposed Wexner as part of its broader inquiry.

Jeffrey Epstein

A late sex offender who had close ties to Wexner and gained access to wealth, property, and potential victims through those connections.

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What they’re saying

“I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. I completely and irrevocably cut ties with Epstein nearly twenty years ago when I learned that he was an abuser, a crook, and a liar. And, let me be crystal clear: I never witnessed nor had any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activity.”

— Les Wexner (NBC News)

“There were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason. When Congressman Massie and I pointed this out to the Department of Justice, they acknowledged their mistake and now they have revealed the identities of these six powerful men. These men are: Salvatore Nuara, Zurab Mikeladze, Leonic Leonov, Nicola Caputo, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and billionaire businessman Leslie Wexner, who was labeled as a 'co-conspirator' by the FBI.”

— Representative Ro Khanna, California Democrat (House floor)

“Why did you redact Les Wexner's name here in the first place? Are there other documents where you have redacted his name, which is against Congress' orders?”

— Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat (X)

What’s next

Democratic members planned a press availability following the deposition, though the start time shifted as the session concluded; additional committee updates or document releases could follow as the panel reviews Wexner's testimony and related DOJ records.

The takeaway

The deposition of Les Wexner, one of Epstein's most prominent former associates, is a significant step forward in Congress' ongoing investigation into the web of connections and potential co-conspirators that enabled Epstein's abuse network. Wexner's testimony and the release of additional DOJ records could shed further light on how Epstein gained access to wealth, property, and potential victims through his ties to influential individuals.