Lawyer for Les Wexner Caught on Hot Mic During Epstein Deposition
A lawyer representing former Victoria’s Secret mogul Les Wexner was overheard on a hot mic humorously threatening to “kill him” if he kept providing lengthy answers during a House Oversight Committee deposition regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
This incident occurred after the committee released a lengthy transcript of Wexner’s nearly five-hour testimony as part of its ongoing investigation into Epstein’s network.
During one drawn-out answer, Wexner’s lawyer leaned in and whispered to him. Following this remark, the two shared a laugh, suggesting Wexner found it amusing. The lawyer then urged him to “answer the questions,” reflecting both the tension and levity of the moment.
Before this exchange, the lawyer had already expressed a desire for Wexner to be more concise, noting, “I’m sure we all appreciate this story. We’re just trying to answer the questions they actually want answered.”
Wexner, a billionaire known for transforming the Victoria’s Secret brand, described his relationship with Epstein merely as business, distancing himself from any claims of friendship. He stated he had never been directly approached by the FBI or the Justice Department, despite his name appearing in recently released FBI documents as a co-conspirator.
Wexner proclaimed his innocence, saying, “I was naive, stupid, and gullible to trust Jeffrey Epstein. He was a fraud. And while I was being deceived, I did nothing wrong and had nothing to hide. I completely and irrevocably severed ties with Epstein almost 20 years ago when I learned he was an abuser, a fraud, and a liar.”
The oversight committee plans to release the full transcript “without any spin,” emphasizing that transparency is essential for the American public.
Wexner is the founder of L Brands, formerly The Limited, which included notable brands like Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. Although he once relied on Epstein as a financial advisor, he no longer has ties to Victoria’s Secret. At one point, Epstein held power of attorney over Wexner’s substantial assets, and he sold Epstein a Manhattan townhouse that was later identified as a site where abuses occurred.
Despite this history, Wexner insisted that his relationship with Epstein remained strictly professional, declaring, “I don’t think I ever had lunch or dinner or going to a movie or having coffee with Mr. Jeffrey,” adding that his focus was always on his business and community.
Wexner recounted that he severed ties with Epstein in 2007 after discovering that Epstein had mismanaged funds from him and his family. He stated that a significant sum was eventually returned.
During his testimony, Wexner claimed he wasn’t aware of Epstein staying at a guesthouse on his Ohio estate, where allegations arose concerning the abuse of Maria Farmer. He stated he only knew Epstein was at a neighbor’s mansion and denied any knowledge of Farmer’s claims regarding abuse on his property.
Wexner firmly rejected any suggestions that Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell had procured women for influential figures, as well as any allegations involving his own sexual contact with those introduced by them.
When queried about Epstein’s association with former President Donald Trump, he expressed skepticism that they were friends, yet noted that Epstein presented himself as one.
The committee also inquired about a humorous note Wexner wrote in Epstein’s birthday book. He acknowledged the note but downplayed it, mentioning that it was meant as a joke. “He was single, so he drew the boobs as a joke. I’ll be honest with you,” Wexner said.
Wexner is the fourth individual to testify before the House Oversight Committee in relation to the Epstein investigation.
