Recent revelations from thousands of court documents released in a New York lawsuit have thrust into the spotlight the once-tight relationship between New Albany billionaire Les Wexner, a retail magnate, and his former financial manager, accused sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein. While no fresh allegations emerged from the documents, they shed light on the historical closeness between the two men and Wexner’s prominent role in Epstein’s life.
Wexner’s Involvement in the 2015 Civil Lawsuit:
Wexner’s name surfaced more than 45 times in a 2015 civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell of directing her sexual involvement with influential men. Although the case was settled in 2017, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska recently ordered the release of the list of names and related documents, marking a significant move in transparency.
Wexner’s Denial and the Salacious Allegation:
One of the most sensational claims from the documents is Giuffre’s testimony that she had multiple sexual encounters with Wexner. Wexner vehemently denied these allegations, and even an attorney representing Giuffre expressed doubts about the accuracy of such claims. The attorney acknowledged Wexner’s denial of knowledge regarding Epstein’s alleged activities as “very highly likely to be true.”
Epstein-Wexner Relationship Dynamics:
Epstein’s social circle included prominent figures like former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as Prince Andrew of England. The depth of Epstein’s relationship with Wexner is underscored by Wexner granting him power of attorney, providing wide-ranging authority to act on his behalf. At one point, Wexner was Epstein’s sole known client, reflecting the extent of their professional connection.
Shared Business Ventures and Properties:
The court documents reveal shared business interests and property transactions between Wexner and Epstein. Epstein, along with Wexner, was identified as president of The New Albany Company in Ohio in 1998. Additionally, they shared ownership of a Manhattan mansion, with Wexner eventually transferring his interest to Epstein for $20 million in 1998.
Wexner’s Affiliation with Epstein’s Foundation:
Epstein served as a longtime trustee on a Wexner foundation focused on Jewish education and leadership. However, the foundation maintains that Epstein’s involvement was nominal, and he had no day-to-day responsibilities.
Les Wexner’s Profile:
As Ohio’s wealthiest individual with an estimated wealth of $6 billion, Les Wexner founded The Limited in 1963, creating a retail empire that included Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, among others. His retirement in 2020 from L Brands, which consisted of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, was accompanied by controversy over his ties to Epstein and declining sales at Victoria’s Secret.
Epstein’s Removal as Wexner’s Investment Manager:
In 2008, amid Epstein’s legal troubles, Wexner announced the replacement of Epstein as his investment manager. This decision followed Epstein’s guilty plea in Florida to charges of soliciting sex from a minor. Wexner revealed that Epstein had misappropriated substantial sums of money from him and his family, leading to the termination of their professional association.