Ex-Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner says he was ‘conned’ by Epstein
The billionaire denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes as US lawmakers pressed him on his decades-long relationship with the late sex offender
Retail tycoon Les Wexner told US lawmakers on Wednesday that he was “conned” by Jeffrey Epstein and denied any knowledge of his crimes, as Democrats pressed him over his decades-long relationship with the notorious sex offender.
The 88-year-old founder of L Brands – the former parent of Victoria’s Secret – gave closed-door testimony from his home in New Albany, Ohio, after being subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Epstein and his associates.
“I was naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man,” the billionaire said in a prepared statement circulated among US media. “While I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”
Democratic lawmakers said Wexner downplayed the closeness of the relationship and provided few new details, repeatedly saying he could not recall key events.
But Congressman Robert Garcia of California said the testimony was nevertheless important to understanding how Epstein amassed the wealth that enabled his crimes.
“There would be no Epstein island, there’d be no Epstein plane, there would be no money to traffic women and girls – Mr Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was – without the support of Les Wexner,” Garcia told reporters.
