Billionaire Les Wexner, who is alleged to have played a key role in helping convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein build his wealth, has described himself as “naive, foolish and gullible” for trusting the late sex offender.
Les Wexner, the billionaire founder of L Brands, had a long-standing financial and personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and financier. Epstein managed Wexner’s finances for years, reportedly gaining extraordinary control over his fortune, properties, and even personal affairs.
Questions later arose about how Epstein acquired such influence over Wexner and whether he exploited that access. Epstein’s connections with Wexner supposedly helped him gain credibility among wealthy and powerful social circles, potentially facilitating his abusive operations. The case remains a focal point in discussions about accountability, elite networks, and the exploitation of trust by high-profile offenders.
READ: Elon Musk suggests amnesty for Epstein survivors in response to Nicole Arbour post (
A spokesperson for the 88-year-old tycoon told the BBC: “Mr Wexner honestly answered every question put to him today by the Committee.
“Mr Wexner reiterated that he has no knowledge of, and did not participate in, Epstein’s illegal conduct. He stands by that fervently.”
“We should be very clear that there would be no Epstein island, there’d be no Epstein plane, there’d be no money to traffic women and girls,” congressman Robert Garcia, of California, said.
“Mr Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was without the support of Les Wexner.”
Wexner, in his opening statement, defended those mentions by saying his relationship with Epstein was limited, and denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender’s abuse.
READ: ‘No misconduct. Zero’: Deepak Chopra confronted at airport over Epstein files (
“I was naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein,” he said. “He was a conman. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”
L Brands, founded by Les Wexner in 1963 and formerly headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, was a major retail conglomerate known for Victoria’s Secret, PINK, and Bath & Body Works. In 2021, the company split into two independent public entities: Victoria’s Secret & Co. and Bath & Body Works, Inc. (formerly L Brands, Inc.).