LIVE Coverage: House Dems React to Bombshell Les Wexner Testimony Tied to Jeffrey Epstein Records

“Bogus” Denials and $1 Billion in Transfers: House Democrats Grill Billionaire Les Wexner Over “Diabolical” Epstein Ties

In the quiet, upscale suburb of New Albany, Ohio, a storm has been brewing for decades, hidden behind the manicured lawns and the vast retail empire of Leslie H. Wexner. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that storm finally made landfall as a group of U.S. House Democrats arrived at the billionaire’s mansion to depose the man who once sat at the pinnacle of the fashion world. The subject of the six-hour interrogation was as dark as it was inevitable: Wexner’s long-standing personal and professional relationship with the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. For the first time under oath, the founder of L Brands was forced to answer for the financial lifeblood he provided to a man whose name has become synonymous with a global sex trafficking ring.

The deposition, conducted behind closed doors, saw Wexner present a meticulously crafted defense of being “duped by a world-class con man.” In a prepared statement released before the session, the 88-year-old retired mogul characterized himself as “naive, foolish, and gullible” for trusting Epstein, whom he hired in the 1980s to manage his multi-billion dollar fortune. Wexner maintained a unwavering stance: he saw no evil, heard no evil, and was entirely unaware of the predatory activities that were occurring often just miles from his own properties. “I was conned by the world Olympic all-time con artist,” Wexner reportedly told staffers, even as he acknowledged that his former associate’s ability to lead a double life was “diabolical.”

However, the lawmakers who emerged from the session were far from convinced. Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-California) and his colleagues expressed profound skepticism, labeling Wexner’s claims of ignorance as “bogus” and “not credible.” The primary point of contention is the sheer scale of the financial support Wexner funneled into Epstein’s world. Congressional investigators estimate that Wexner transferred or provided stocks totaling more than $1 billion to Epstein over their 15-year association. This wealth, lawmakers argue, was the foundational capital that allowed Epstein to purchase his private island, maintain his “Lolita Express” plane, and fund the trafficking and abuse of countless women and girls. “There is no single person that was more involved in providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes than Les Wexner,” Garcia told reporters during a break in the testimony.

The details emerging from the newly released “Epstein Files”—millions of pages of Justice Department documents—have placed Wexner in a vice-like grip. These files show that the FBI was investigating Wexner as a potential “co-conspirator” as recently as 2019, though he has never been charged with a crime. The documents also reveal a relationship far more entangled than Wexner’s current “professional” characterization suggests. One draft letter from Epstein to Wexner mentioned they had “‘gang stuff’ for over 15 years” and were “mutually indebted to each other.” Despite Wexner’s insistence that he cut ties in 2007, records show the two were still in contact as late as 2008, even exchanging notes where Wexner cautioned Epstein to “always be careful” following a legal setback.

Perhaps the most jarring moment of the day came when Wexner addressed the allegations of survivors. Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre has long claimed in court documents that Wexner was among the powerful men Epstein trafficked her to. Wexner vehemently denied this, testifying to his “utter devotion” to his wife of 33 years, Abigail, and insisting he has never been unfaithful. Yet, the lawmakers pointed to accounts from other survivors, such as Maria Farmer, who alleges she was assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a New Albany property owned by Epstein—a home located barely half a mile from the Wexners’ primary residence. Representative Stephen Lynch (D-Massachusetts) stated that much of the evidence points to a level of awareness that Wexner simply refuses to admit. “He’s a competent witness,” Lynch remarked, noting Wexner’s lucidity. “He’s just not telling the truth.”

Throughout the deposition, Wexner’s most frequent answer appeared to be “I don’t remember.” He could not recall the specifics of how Epstein obtained hundreds of millions of dollars, nor could he explain why he had signed a lewd birthday message to Epstein in a “birthday book” organized by Ghislaine Maxwell. When questioned about his visits to Epstein’s infamous private island, Wexner admitted to stopping there only once for a few hours with his family while on a boat cruise—a description that Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) found “inconceivable” given the context of their relationship. The lawmakers also probed Wexner’s knowledge of other high-profile figures, including President Donald Trump. While Wexner claimed he didn’t recall if Trump and Epstein were ever in the same room, he did remember that Trump was a frequent guest at Victoria’s Secret runway shows.

The fallout from this testimony is already beginning to ripple through the political and academic landscapes. Several lawmakers have recently started donating campaign contributions originally provided by Wexner to organizations that fight human trafficking. At Ohio State University, where Wexner’s name is emblazoned on everything from medical centers to football complexes, survivors of other predators are citing his Epstein association as a reason to strip his name from the campus. The investigation is also expanding to include business associates, such as OSU OB-GYN Dr. Mark Landon, who received significant funds from Epstein during the height of the billionaire’s partnership with the predator.

For the survivors who have waited years for accountability, Wednesday’s deposition was a watershed moment. While Wexner remains uncharged and maintains his innocence, the public airing of the “Epstein Files” and the scrutiny of his $1 billion in transfers have shattered the aura of legitimacy that once protected him. Representative Crockett sent a direct message to those who suffered: “We see you, we feel you, and we are fighting for you. We will not stop.” The deposition of Les Wexner is not the end of the road; according to Garcia, it is merely the “beginning of our work” to uncover how a world-class con man built a criminal empire with a billionaire’s wallet.