• Les Wexner testified that he feels he was "conned" by Jeffrey Epstein and denies any wrongdoing.
• Wexner had a longstanding relationship with Epstein, granting him power of attorney for his finances.
• Democratic lawmakers are pushing back against Wexner's narrative, suggesting he was pivotal in enabling Epstein's wealth.
• Recent Justice Department documents reveal extensive financial interactions between Wexner and Epstein.
• Wexner cut ties with Epstein around 2007 after discovering he had stolen money from him.

Billionaire Les Wexner testified before US lawmakers that he felt “duped” by Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who managed his finances for decades. During a six-hour closed-door session, Wexner stated, “I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man,” emphasizing that he never witnessed or partook in any of Epstein’s illegal activities, a claim he reiterated vehemently. Wexner described learning of Epstein's criminal conduct as a turning point, stating that he “irrevocably cut ties” when he discovered that Epstein had misappropriated substantial sums from his family and was charged with soliciting a minor, according to SCMP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

The testimony emerged amid ongoing investigations by the House Oversight Committee into Epstein's financial dealings. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia highlighted Wexner's vital role in enabling Epstein’s criminal activities, stating, “There is no single person that was more involved in providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes than Les Wexner.” He further noted that Wexner's long relationship with Epstein raised concerns regarding millions of dollars transferred to the financier, casting doubt on Wexner’s claims of ignorance regarding Epstein's conduct, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Al Jazeera.

Wexner's relationship with Epstein began in the 1980s when he hired him as a money manager, granting him extraordinary powers that included signing checks and managing substantial real estate investments. He admitted to visiting Epstein's private island once, but maintained that he severed all connections in 2007, shortly after Epstein was charged with soliciting prostitution from a minor. Wexner's legal representatives have stated that he has cooperated fully with federal investigations and asserted that he has never been charged with any crime, according to SCMP and Reuters.

Recent documents released by the Justice Department reveal that Epstein frequently interacted with Wexner for years after the tycoon claimed to have cut ties. Wexner was observed as he previously engaged in communications regarding transactions, raising questions about his declarations of severance. Furthermore, the documents indicated that Wexner's wealth and influence significantly contributed to Epstein’s rise, allowing him to establish connections within elite circles, including political figures, according to Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.