The Wexner-Epstein Files: Power, Money and Betrayal

Les Wexner is the billionaire visionary who redefined American retail, transforming Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works into global icons. As the longest-serving CEO in Fortune 500 history, he built a massive empire and reshaped the state of Ohio through his wealth and philanthropy. Yet, his legacy is now inextricably linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the man to whom he granted total power of attorney over his fortune.

As investigators in 2026 continue to probe the Epstein Files, Wexner remains the central mystery: the essential benefactor who provided the money and legitimacy that fuelled Epstein’s rise.

The Merlin of the Mall: Transforming Retail

Wexner earned the nickname Merlin of the Mall because of his uncanny ability to spot trends before they became mainstream. In 1963, he started The Limited with a $5,000 loan from his aunt. He focused on a limited selection of high-turnover items like shirts and pants rather than slow-moving inventory like coats.

• Reinventing Lingerie: In 1982, he bought Victoria’s Secret for $1 million. At the time, it was a small, struggling chain designed for men to buy gifts. Wexner pivoted the brand to focus on female shoppers, turning it into a global multi-billion-dollar empire.

• Massive Scale: By the peak of his career, he was the longest-serving CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He oversaw a portfolio that included Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express.

• Logistics Mastery: He acquired Mast Industries, which gave his companies a major advantage. It allowed him to design and produce clothing faster than almost any competitor in the industry.

The Architect of Columbus, Ohio

Wexner’s influence extends far beyond the mall. He is widely considered the most powerful person in Central Ohio. He used his wealth to shape the city of Columbus and its surrounding areas through the Columbus Way, a tradition of public-private partnerships.

• Civic Namesake: His name is on the Wexner Medical Centre at Ohio State University and the Wexner Centre for the Arts.

• New Albany Development: He was the primary developer of New Albany, an upscale suburb of Columbus. He envisioned it as a high-end community with a specific architectural style.

• Political Clout: He co-founded the Columbus Partnership, a group of CEOs that holds significant sway over local policy and economic development.

The Meeting: How an Outsider Won a Billionaire’s Trust

The two men met in the late 1980s. Financial advisor Harold Levin first introduced them. Levin actually warned Wexner that he smelled a rat. Wexner ignored the warning. He fired Levin and put Epstein in charge of his fortune instead.

Rapid Rise: From Nobody to Gatekeeper

Jeffrey Epstein had no proven track record in high-stakes finance before meeting Wexner. Yet, within a few years, he became the primary gatekeeper to Wexner’s life. He didn’t just manage stocks; he managed the man.

• Social Engineering: Epstein convinced Wexner that he was a brilliant, off-the-books financial genius.
• Isolation: Epstein slowly pushed out Wexner’s long-time advisors. He became the single point of contact for the billionaire’s personal and professional affairs.
• The Private Plane: In 1991, Wexner purchased a Boeing 727. Epstein was given full use of it, marking the beginning of the infamous Lolita Express fleet.

The Ultimate Key: The 1991 Power of Attorney

This document is the smoking gun of their relationship. In July 1991, Wexner signed a legal document that gave Epstein full power and authority to act in his name. This is extremely rare for a billionaire of Wexner’s stature to grant to one individual.

• Total Legal Proxy: Epstein could sign Wexner’s name on tax returns and legal contracts.
• Financial Autonomy: He could borrow money, move millions between accounts, and sell assets without Wexner’s specific signature for each task.
• The Ultimate Trust: This document essentially made Jeffrey Epstein a legal twin of Les Wexner in the eyes of the law.

Total Control: Managing the Billionaire’s Lifestyle

The power of attorney allowed Epstein to weave himself into the fabric of the Wexner family. He wasn’t just an employee; he was a shadow version of Wexner himself.

• Real Estate Manoeuvres: Epstein handled the purchase of Wexner’s $77 million New York City mansion. Years later, Wexner transferred the deed of that same mansion to Epstein for $0.
• Staffing Power: Epstein had the authority to hire and fire the domestic staff at Wexner’s homes. This allowed him to control who was present at the Ohio and New York estates.
• The Victoria’s Secret Connection: Because of his status with Wexner, Epstein could pose as a “scout” for Victoria’s Secret. He used this proximity to gain access to models and aspiring stars under the guise of a professional opportunity.

The Ohio Connection: Living in the Wizard’s Shadow

Epstein didn’t just manage Wexner’s money; he lived in his world. He operated his business from a home Wexner owned. He even lived on Wexner’s sprawling Ohio estate, which was protected by armed guards and gatehouses.

The Model Recruiter Scam: A Corporate Front for Grooming

Epstein used his proximity to the CEO of L Brands to give himself a fake professional identity. He told young women he was a scout for Victoria’s Secret. This lie worked because he was often seen with Wexner and had high-level access to the company’s offices.

• Manufacturing Credibility: By posing as a talent scout, Epstein gained the trust of aspiring models and their parents.
• The Warning Signs: In 1993, a Victoria’s Secret executive warned Wexner that Epstein was scouting girls. Wexner reportedly said he would put a stop to it, but Epstein’s access remained unchanged.
• Global Reach: Advocates claim this modelling front allowed Epstein to bring women into the U.S. under the guise of work visas.

The Maria Farmer Allegation: Assault at the Guest House

In 1996, artist Maria Farmer was invited to the Wexner estate as an artist in residence. She believed she was there to paint. Instead, she alleges that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell violently assaulted her in a guest house on the property.

• The “Wizard” Dynamic: Farmer called Wexner the Wizard of Oz, the powerful man behind the curtain who provided the setting for the crimes.

• Surveillance State: Farmer discovered the house was wired with pinhole cameras. She later learned Epstein recorded everything and kept the tapes in a safe.

• A Failed Cry for Help: Farmer tried to report the assault to the FBI and local police in 1996. Her claims were largely ignored for decades.

The 12-Hour Trap: Detention by Private Guards

The most chilling part of Farmer’s story is what happened after the assault. When she tried to flee the estate the next morning, she was physically blocked from leaving.

• The Armed Gatekeepers: The estate was guarded by Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies who were moonlighting as private security for the Wexners.

• The Warning: A security guard reportedly told her, “You aren’t leaving, you’re not going anywhere.”

• The Rescue: Farmer was only able to leave after she called her father, who drove from out of state to demand her release.

• Abigail’s Role: Farmer alleges she had to call Wexner’s wife, Abigail, to get permission just to step outside the guest house, suggesting the family had absolute control over the movements of everyone on the property.

Why Wexner Haunts the Epstein Files

Wexner’s name appears frequently in newly unsealed court documents. These files stem from lawsuits filed by survivors like Virginia Giuffre. The documents shed light on how Epstein used Wexner’s credibility to shield his crimes.

The Giuffre Deposition: Underage Trafficking Allegations

In unsealed 2016 deposition transcripts, Virginia Giuffre made explicit claims regarding Les Wexner. She testified that she was trafficked to several high-profile men, including the retail billionaire.

• The Specific Claim: Giuffre alleged she had sexual encounters with Wexner between three and ten times while she was still a minor.

• The Maxwell Role: She claimed Ghislaine Maxwell instructed her to wear specific lingerie, presumably from Victoria’s Secret, to please him.

• The Denial: Wexner has consistently and vehemently denied these allegations. His legal team maintains he was never a target or co-conspirator in any federal investigation.

Suspicious Transfers: The $1 Billion Shadow

Banking giant JPMorgan Chase eventually flagged over $1 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Epstein’s network. Many of these flags appeared years after Wexner claimed to have cut ties.

• The 2019 SAR: After Epstein’s death, JPMorgan filed a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) covering transactions from 2003 to 2019.
• The Trust Funds: The report specifically highlighted $65 million in wire transfers involving trusts controlled by Les Wexner.
• The Money Laundering Risk: Compliance officers were concerned that funds were moving between multiple banks in a pattern often associated with hiding the origin of money.

The 2003 Birthday Book: I Wanted to Get You What You Want

For Epstein’s 50th birthday, Ghislaine Maxwell compiled a birthday book filled with tributes from the world’s elite. The book serves as a roadmap of Epstein’s social circle at the height of his grooming activity.

• The Lewd Message: Wexner’s entry reportedly included a handwritten note stating, “I wanted to get you what you want… so here it is.”
• The Imagery: The note was accompanied by a drawing of breasts, reflecting the highly sexualised tone of the relationship between the two men.

The Group Photo: The book also contained a photo of Wexner with his arms around Epstein, suggesting a level of physical and social comfort that contradicts a purely professional advisory role.

Wexner claims he cut ties in 2007. This followed an investigation into Epstein’s solicitation of a minor. Wexner later accused Epstein of misappropriating $46 million of his family’s money. However, new reports suggest they may have communicated as late as 2008.

The WilmerHale Report: A Limited Investigation

Following Epstein’s 2019 arrest, L Brands (Wexner’s company) hired the law firm WilmerHale to investigate. Critics argue the report was designed to protect the brand rather than find the truth.

• Financial Flow: The report confirmed that Epstein had donated $336,000 to the Wexner Centre for the Arts.

• The “Misappropriation” Defence: The investigation leaned heavily on Wexner’s claim that Epstein stole $46 million from him.

• The Missing Proof: Notably, Wexner never sued Epstein for this massive theft at the time, leading many to wonder if the money was actually a quiet payoff or a severance package.

2008: The Email That Breaks the Timeline

Despite claiming the relationship ended in 2007, unsealed emails show communication as late as June 2008. This was just days before Epstein pleaded guilty to sex crimes in Florida.

• The Message: Wexner reportedly emailed Epstein saying, “Abigail told me the result… all I can say is I feel sorry.”

• The Advice: He added a critique: “You violated your own number 1 rule, always be careful.”

• The Implication: This suggests Wexner was still emotionally and personally engaged with Epstein’s legal fate long after he supposedly severed all contact.

A Tainted Legacy: The End of an Era

The mounting pressure from these revelations eventually became too much for the retail giant. In 2020, Wexner stepped down as CEO of L Brands and sold his majority stake in Victoria’s Secret.

• The Reputation Shift: Once seen as the King of Columbus, Wexner’s name has been stripped from some civic conversations, though it remains on major institutions.

• The Subpoena: As recently as early 2026, Congressional committees have continued to pursue Wexner for testimony, proving that the investigation into his role as Epstein’s “billionaire benefactor” is far from over.

Ultimately, Les Wexner’s story is a tale of two legacies: one of unmatched retail genius and another of a catastrophic lapse in judgment.

While Wexner maintains he was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s deception, the unsealed files and financial records paint a picture of a billionaire who provided the ultimate shield for a predator.

Whether through blind trust or active complicity, Wexner’s career, once defined by the Angels he marketed, will now be forever measured by the Wizard he empowered.

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