Les Wexner, the former chief of Victoria’s Secret, has testified before Congress, adamantly declaring, “I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide,” as he navigates inquiries into his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner’s appearance before the House oversight committee comes amidst ongoing investigations into Epstein’s extensive criminal activities and his connections to various high-profile individuals.
In a statement provided by his representatives, Wexner characterized himself as “naïve, foolish, and gullible” for having trusted Epstein, whom he ultimately distanced himself from nearly two decades ago upon discovering Epstein’s abusive and deceitful nature. “I completely and irrevocably cut ties with Epstein in 2007 when I learned that he was an abuser, a crook, and a liar,” he expressed, further reflecting on his past judgment, saying, “To my enormous embarrassment and regret, I, like many others, was duped by a world-class con man.”
Wexner initially brought Epstein on board in 1991 to manage his financial affairs, yet he maintains that he severed ties in 2007, prior to Epstein’s guilty plea in 2008 related to state-level prostitution charges. He alleges that Epstein misappropriated a staggering $46 million of his assets, a claim that underscores the complex dynamics of their professional relationship. The Wall Street Journal highlighted in 2019 how crucial Wexner was to Epstein’s financial ascent, noting that Epstein garnered around $200 million from their partnership.
His testimony is part of a broader congressional inquiry that has also affected other prominent figures associated with Epstein. Notably, Ghislaine Maxwell—currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in facilitating Epstein’s trafficking schemes—recently exercised her right to remain silent during a deposition, citing her ongoing fight against her conviction. Maxwell’s attorney stated she is willing to testify truthfully if granted clemency by former President Trump.
Additionally, the oversight committee has issued subpoenas to notable individuals, including Bill and Hillary Clinton. Bill Clinton has publicly acknowledged his past flights on Epstein’s private jet for humanitarian efforts but has firmly stated that he never visited Epstein’s infamous island.
The investigations are further fueled by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was enacted by Congress last November. This legislation mandated the Justice Department to release all files related to Epstein’s case within a specified timeframe. While several batches of documents have been shared, including a massive release of 3.5 million pages, transparency advocates argue that a significant number of records remain hidden from public view.
