Billionaire Les Wexner Admits Visiting Epstein’s Island, Denies Knowing About Crimes

Post by : Saif Nasser

Billionaire businessman Les Wexner has told U.S. lawmakers that he once visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island but had no knowledge of the financier’s criminal activities. Wexner made the statement during a closed-door session with congressional investigators.

Wexner, 88, said he cut ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago. He strongly denied being involved in or aware of any illegal acts committed by Epstein. In written testimony, Wexner said he never witnessed any wrongdoing and was not part of any criminal activity.

Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier, pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to prostitution, including soliciting an underage girl. In 2019, he died in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

The U.S. Justice Department recently released a large number of internal documents related to Epstein. These documents have renewed public interest in Epstein’s connections to powerful and wealthy individuals. Wexner’s name has appeared in reports because he had a long financial relationship with Epstein.

Wexner is the founder and former CEO of L Brands, the company that owns Victoria’s Secret. He hired Epstein in the 1980s as his personal money manager. Over time, Epstein gained significant control over Wexner’s finances.

Wexner said he ended the relationship around 2007 after learning about Epstein’s behavior and alleged theft. He claimed that Epstein stole large amounts of money from his family. Once he discovered the misconduct, Wexner said he stopped all contact.

During his testimony, Wexner admitted that he visited Epstein’s island once. He said the visit lasted only a few hours and took place while he was traveling on a boat with his wife and children. He stated that he did not witness anything unusual during that short stop.

Some lawmakers have questioned how much Wexner knew about Epstein’s activities. Representative Robert Garcia, a senior member of the House oversight panel, said Wexner provided significant financial support to Epstein over the years. Garcia suggested that Epstein may not have been able to commit his crimes without that backing.

Wexner responded by saying he was deceived. He described Epstein as a “world-class con man” and expressed regret for ever trusting him. He said he feels embarrassed by his connection to Epstein but insisted he had no knowledge of the crimes.

The investigation into Epstein’s network continues to draw attention. Many people want answers about how Epstein operated for so long and who may have helped him. Lawmakers are reviewing documents and questioning individuals linked to him to better understand the full picture.

For now, Wexner maintains that he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal actions and was himself a victim of deception and financial abuse. The broader investigation remains ongoing as authorities and lawmakers seek clarity and accountability.