New details were revealed Friday as lawmakers planned to depose a retail billionaire in late financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's inner circle.
Leslie Wexner, who was at one time Epstein's main financial benefactor, was slated to speak with congressional leaders on Feb. 18 over his ties with Epstein, according to MS NOW reporter Fallon Gallagher. The deposition was in response to a subpoena and expected to take place behind closed doors, although a transcript or video of the testimony could later be released.
The House Oversight Committee is reportedly "deeply focused on Epstein's inner circle," Gallagher said.
"I want to go through their history because Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein have a storied history together," Gallagher explained. "Les Wexner, of course, is the billionaire owner of a massive retail empire, and Jeffrey Epstein began managing his money in the 1980s. The two apparently got very close very quickly, and I want to read very briefly from a Vanity Fair article from 2003 that details their relationship. That article says wherever and whenever it was that Epstein and Wexner actually met, there was an immediate and strong personal chemistry. Wexner says he thinks Epstein is, 'very smart, with a combination of excellent judgment and unusually high standards. Also, he is always a most loyal friend.'"
Wexner, founder of major retail company The Limited, had a long-standing personal and business relationship with Epstein that spanned several decades, with Epstein serving as Wexner's money manager and close confidant. Wexner's relationship with Epstein has come under scrutiny following Epstein's arrest and conviction, with investigations revealing that Wexner gave Epstein significant financial control and access to his properties, though Wexner has stated he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities and severed ties with him in the 1990s after becoming suspicious of his behavior.
"Another thing about Wexner is that in the first drop of Epstein files back in December, we found an FBI document that lists Wexner as an alleged co-conspirator," Gallagher said.
Wexner has maintained that he has had no wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He is among several notable business and financial leaders with former ties to the late pedophile.
"But this deposition from Wexner is just the latest in a number of high profile depositions that are expected to take place before the House Oversight Committee. As I said, they're deeply focused on Epstein's inner circle," Gallagher said.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a close confidant and Epstein co-conspirator, was scheduled to appear for a virtual deposition. She has said she will plead the fifth.