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Wexner, Epstein Financial Ties Under Scrutiny

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/2 .. exner-epstein-financial-ties-under-scrutiny.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 1:55 GMT by wjla
      Locales: UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM

Washington D.C. - February 20th, 2026 - The House Oversight Committee panel continues its intensive investigation into the intricate financial connections between Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, the founder of L Brands (owner of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works), and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. What began as scrutiny of a business relationship has rapidly evolved into a deep dive into billions of dollars in transactions, raising serious questions about potential complicity and the flow of funds that may have benefited L Brands and its iconic subsidiary, Victoria's Secret.

Led by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the committee is meticulously examining a complex network of financial transfers between Wexner's personal and corporate accounts and those directly linked to Epstein. The initial focus, as reported in 2026, centers on determining whether Wexner's businesses knowingly or unknowingly profited from Epstein's criminal activities. The committee isn't just looking at direct payments; they are painstakingly tracing the entire journey of the funds - from Wexner to Epstein and back again - seeking to understand the purpose of each transfer and whether they adhered to legal and ethical standards.

Documents obtained through subpoenas reveal that billions of dollars moved between Wexner's accounts and those associated with Epstein over several years. The sheer volume of these transactions, previously unreported in full, is what prompted the panel to expand its investigation beyond simply acknowledging a "working relationship," as Wexner has described it. Investigators are specifically scrutinizing whether these funds were used to facilitate Epstein's alleged crimes, and crucially, whether any of the profits ultimately landed within L Brands, bolstering the company's financial performance.

The investigation extends beyond purely financial matters. The committee is also probing the operational influence Epstein may have exerted over L Brands, specifically focusing on the company's headquarters in New Albany, Ohio. Reports suggest Epstein had significant access to Wexner and, potentially, to the decision-making processes within L Brands. The panel wants to understand the extent of this access and whether Epstein leveraged his relationship with Wexner to influence business strategies or potentially shield illicit activities. This includes examining internal L Brands communications and personnel records to identify any instances where Epstein's advice or direction was followed.

Les Wexner, a prominent figure in the Columbus, Ohio business community, has consistently maintained that he was unaware of Epstein's crimes, stating their relationship was primarily financial and advisory. However, the mounting evidence and the scale of the financial transactions are challenging that narrative. Critics point to the unusually close relationship between the two men, noting Epstein served as Wexner's personal financial advisor and even had power of attorney over Wexner's personal finances. This level of access, they argue, would have made it difficult for Wexner to remain genuinely ignorant of Epstein's activities.

Furthermore, the committee is examining the corporate governance structures within L Brands during the period of Wexner's relationship with Epstein. They are questioning whether adequate safeguards were in place to prevent the potential for financial misconduct and whether those safeguards were effectively enforced. The lack of transparency surrounding Wexner's financial dealings with Epstein has fueled accusations of a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth.

The implications of this investigation are far-reaching. If the committee finds evidence of wrongdoing, L Brands and Victoria's Secret could face significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and even potential criminal charges. The case also raises broader questions about the responsibilities of corporate leaders to ensure the ethical conduct of their business associates and the effectiveness of financial oversight mechanisms. The committee's final report, expected later this year, promises to shed light on a complex and disturbing case that has captivated the nation.