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House Oversight Committee to Depose Billionaire Leslie Wexner Regarding Epstein Ties

2026-02-18

The BareStory

The House Oversight Committee is scheduled to depose retail billionaire Leslie Wexner on Wednesday in Ohio. The testimony is part of the committee's ongoing investigation into the federal government's handling of the case against the late Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner, the founder of L Brands, previously employed Epstein as a financial advisor and granted him power of attorney.

Documents indicate the professional relationship ended around 2007. According to a 2019 prosecution memo and statements from Wexner, the split occurred after the billionaire discovered Epstein had misappropriated "vast sums of money," including funds related to family property. The memo suggests Wexner resolved the theft privately and recovered a portion of the assets rather than reporting the matter to law enforcement. Wexner has publicly denied having knowledge of Epstein’s alleged sex crimes, stating he was "deceived" by his former manager.

While a 2019 FBI document identified Wexner as a potential co-conspirator, an email from an FBI agent that same year stated there was "limited evidence regarding his involvement." Wexner has never been criminally charged in connection with the case. It is not yet confirmed whether he will answer questions during the deposition or invoke his Fifth Amendment rights.

Wexner is the fourth high-profile figure deposed in the probe led by Chairman James Comer. The committee has previously interviewed former Attorney General Bill Barr, former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Left Perspective

  • Piercing the Veil of Privilege
  • Interrogating Institutional Failure
  • Challenging Passive Complicity

Right Perspective

  • Adherence to Evidentiary Standards
  • Defense of Private Autonomy
  • Distinction of Liability

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• You may gain insight into the integrity of federal law enforcement as the investigation seeks to determine if agencies like the FBI failed to prosecute powerful individuals due to incompetence or systemic corruption.

• The proceedings could influence public discourse on whether wealthy citizens are permitted to handle criminal acts like financial theft privately, raising questions about equity within the justice system.

• This deposition highlights a conflict regarding the scope of congressional power, specifically whether legislative bodies should investigate private citizens who have not been criminally charged by federal prosecutors.

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