Mogul Les Wexner Tells Lawmakers He Was 'Naive' and 'Conned' by Jeffrey Epstein
Retired retail mogul Les Wexner told a congressional committee on Wednesday that he had been "naive, foolish and gullible" in trusting his former financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein, denying any knowledge of the financier's criminal conduct while acknowledging that Epstein stole from his family.
Wexner's testimony: "I was conned"
In an opening statement to a House Oversight Committee session, the 88-year-old former chief executive said he had been duped by Epstein, calling him a "conman" and insisting he had "done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. " He reiterated that the relationship ended after he and his family discovered Epstein had been taking "vast sums" of money while acting as his financial adviser.
Wexner said he had visited Epstein's private island for only "a few hours" with family and denied any awareness of the widespread abuse that later emerged. He defended his record as a philanthropist and community leader and said he was testifying to "set the record straight. " A spokesperson for Wexner said he answered every question posed by the committee and again rejected any participation in illegal conduct.
Lawmakers press ties, unanswered questions
Democratic members of the committee pressed Wexner about the depth of his financial and personal ties to Epstein, and whether those ties enabled Epstein's rise. One representative at the session said there would have been no Epstein plane, island, or the money to traffic victims if not for support from backers like Wexner, arguing that Epstein's wealth depended on that backing.
Only Democratic lawmakers attended the deposition in person; Republican members did not travel, though some staff were present. Committee members highlighted references to Wexner in thousands of documents released by the Justice Department and questioned how Epstein amassed his resources and influence. Wexner's name appears repeatedly in the records, an outcome he said reflected the length of their association rather than culpability.
Background: decades-long relationship and legal shadow
The relationship between Wexner and Epstein began in the 1980s and deepened in the 1990s. Wexner has said he granted Epstein power of attorney in 1991, a move that allowed Epstein to manage investments, purchase property and handle other financial matters on Wexner's behalf. Wexner later said Epstein helped with development projects in Ohio, including work in New Albany.
Wexner has denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal acts and notes he has never been charged with a crime. Still, official records from earlier investigations listed him as a potential co-conspirator, a designation that drew sharp scrutiny during the session. Lawmakers and critics have questioned whether Wexner should have recognized warning signs or acted sooner to curtail Epstein's activities.
Wexner told the committee he cut ties after allegations against Epstein surfaced in Florida and emphasized his loyalty to his family. In response to allegations by one of Epstein's most prominent victims, who had claimed she was trafficked to men in Epstein's network, Wexner forcefully denied any infidelity or improper conduct.
What comes next
The closed-door interview is part of a broader congressional review trying to piece together how Epstein built his network and what roles others may have played. Wexner's appearance is likely to prompt further questions from investigators and lawmakers about the intersection of wealth, influence and accountability.
For now, Wexner stands by his statement that he was misled and financially harmed by Epstein, while lawmakers weigh whether the disclosures in the recently released documents merit additional probes or legal action. The session underscored the continuing effort to understand how a small group of powerful individuals enabled a long-running criminal enterprise.
