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US billionaire Les Wexner, who allegedly played a key role in helping Jeffrey Epstein build his wealth, has described himself as “naive, stupid and gullible” for trusting the late sex offender.
In a statement to US lawmakers, the former CEO of lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret accused Epstein of stealing “vast sums” of money from his family while he worked as a financial advisor.
Wexner, who was testifying before a House committee as part of its investigation into the Epstein affair, denied any wrongdoing.
He was described as a potential co-conspirator of Epstein in a 2019 FBI document, but no charges were ever filed against him.
Lawmakers accused the billionaire of knowing about Epstein’s crimes but failing to stop them.
Wexner was called before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein following the release of thousands of documents related to the financier’s wrongdoing.
Committee members traveled to Wexner’s home state of Ohio for the testimony.
A spokesperson for the 88-year-old tycoon told the BBC: “Mr Wexner answered honestly all the questions put to him today by the committee.
“Mr. Wexner has reiterated that he had no knowledge of and no participation in Epstein’s illegal conduct. He fervently maintains this.”
Only Democratic lawmakers attended the deposition. No Republican lawmakers traveled for it, although some of their staffers attended.
“We need to be very clear that there will be no Epstein Island, there will be no Epstein Plane, there will be no money for the trafficking of women and girls,” said Congressman Robert Garcia of California.
“Mr. Epstein would not be the rich man he was without the support of Les Wexner.”
Wexner, in his opening statement, defended those mentions by saying his relationship with Epstein was limited and denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender’s sexual abuse.
“I was naive, stupid and gullible in trusting Jeffrey Epstein,” he said. “He was a scammer. And even though I was scammed, I didn’t do anything wrong and I have nothing to hide.”
He said he was “happy to testify” and wanted to “set the record straight”.
Wexner also said he visited Epstein’s private island for “a few hours” with his family.
The two men’s relationship dates back to the 1980s, and Wexner said he severed ties after Epstein was accused of sexually abusing children in Florida.
Wexner said he later discovered that Epstein “misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family,” a statement he repeated in his opening speech.
The retail mogul was identified in a 2019 FBI document as a potential co-conspirator. A separate email also said there was “limited evidence regarding his involvement.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche previously said Wexner’s name “appeared in the records thousands of times.”
Wexner’s lawyers recently told the BBC: “The Assistant United States Attorney told Mr. Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr. Wexner was considered a source of information about Epstein and was in no way a target.
“Mr. Wexner cooperated fully in providing background information about Epstein and was never contacted again.”
