One of the first reporters to extensively interview the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse was amazed by an admission by one of the late sex offender's closest associates.
Les Wexner, the 88-year-old former Victoria's Secret chief executive, testified Wednesday at his Ohio home to Democrats from the House Oversight Committee, and The Atlantic's Sarah Fitzpatrick reacted on "CNN This Morning" to a viral moment from that deposition that was caught on video.
"I want toplay for you one thing," said host Audie Cornish, "becausewhat we're seeing here in theU.S. is more conversation, moredepositions. So for example, youhave Victoria's Secret owner Les Wexner. He's beenquestioned for his relationshipor ties to Epstein by the House Oversight Committee, specifically, okay, and video is starting tocome out about the deposition, and I want to show you anexample of a moment in theconversation he had just toldlawmakers that the FBI had neverspoken to him about Epstein, andas he's talking, he gets anote. So here's an example ofthat."
The video shows the elderly retail baron providing lawmakers with loquacious answers to their questions about his relationship with Epstein, which he insisted was professional and finance-related only, when his attorney leaned over and whispered, "I'll f------ kill you if you answer another question with more than five words."
"It's incredible," Fitzpatrick said. "I mean,it's amazing moment caught ontape. But to me, an even moreimportant moment that you seethere, the fact that he's neverbeen questioned by the FBI,never been questioned by the FBIin over almost two decades offederal investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, a man who had ifnot so much materialinformation, and we have hadcomplaints."
"I mean there arereports to the FBI, to [New York Police Department] in1996 stemming from Wexner," she added, "froma victim that had spent time at Wexner's home. So it just likeit it defies logic and it reallymakes me question our confidencein the FBI and in our justicesystem."