Deposition Reveals Potential $100,000‑Plus Gifts to Husted Les Wexner told a five‑hour House Oversight Committee testimony that he may have contributed more than $100,000 to Sen. Jon Husted over two decades, and FEC filings confirm a $3,500 donation on July 3 2025 [1]. The deposition included a 71‑second segment on the contributions, during which Wexner affirmed political support for Husted and denied any lobbying to suppress Epstein‑related documents [1]. The hearing was scheduled for Wednesday after Wexner was subpoenaed on Jan. 23, with his lawyer describing him as an information source rather than a target [2].

Husted Redirects Wexner Money to Charity After Deposition Following the testimony, Husted announced his campaign would donate the $3,500 contribution to Freedom a la Cart Cafe, totaling $34,300 in charitable gifts [2][1]. His spokesperson Tyson Shepard emphasized the donation as a repudiation of the criticism from Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaign, which had highlighted the contributions [1]. Husted had previously voted to release the Epstein files in November after an earlier vote against release in September [1].

Other Ohio Officials Also Return Wexner‑Linked Funds Republican Rep. Mike Carey, Democrat Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Troy Balderson, State Sen. Michele Reynolds, State Sen. Beth Liston, and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin each pledged donations ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to charities aiding trafficking survivors or youth [2]. Their public pledges came as the deposition approached, signaling a coordinated effort to distance themselves from the controversy [2]. Mayor Andrew Ginther issued a statement condemning Epstein’s crimes but declined to confirm whether his campaign would donate any Wexner funds [2].

Brown Campaign Faces Parallel Wexner‑Linked Contributions FEC data show Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaigns have received $10,200 from Abigail Wexner, Les Wexner’s wife, over the past 15 years, though none directly from Les Wexner himself [1]. Brown’s spokesperson Lauren Chou accused Husted of receiving more than $116,000 from Jeffrey Epstein’s co‑conspirator and voting against releasing the files shortly after that contribution [1]. The Brown campaign’s attack contrasts with Husted’s charitable redirection of his own Wexner money [1].

Congressional Hearing Set to Probe Wexner’s Epstein Knowledge The House Oversight Committee will hold a private hearing in central Ohio, with a transcript to be released publicly later [2]. Legal analyst Pamella Seay explained that Wexner retains First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendment protections but lacks a Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial, underscoring the deposition’s focus on his possible awareness of Epstein’s activities [2]. The hearing aims to determine whether Wexner, as Epstein’s former financial advisor, referred others or possessed incriminating information [2].