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Ohio State Banner Protest Coincides with Release of Les Wexner Deposition Video

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Wexner’s deposition paints him as a duped financier The 88‑year‑old former L Brands founder testified before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 19, describing himself as “naïve, foolish and gullible” and saying he met Jeffrey Epstein through mutual friends in the mid‑1980s [2][4][8]. He maintained that their relationship was strictly business, denied any knowledge of sexual abuse, and admitted only brief hour‑long visits to Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands island and New Mexico ranch, where he saw no minors [2][4]. Wexner asserted that Epstein stole “vast sums” after the billionaire cut ties following the 2008 prostitution conviction, though he claimed he never learned the theft’s magnitude until days before his deposition [2][8].

DOJ files link Wexner to payments and a university doctor Department of Justice documents released in early February list Wexner’s name more than 1,000 times and label him a “secondary co‑conspirator” with limited evidence [9][10]. Internal emails show Epstein approved quarterly $25,000 payments to Ohio State OB‑GYN Dr. Mark Landon, billed to the Wexners, while Landon said he had no knowledge of criminal activity [3][9]. Wexner told committee members he only learned of those payments days before his testimony, a claim that committee members questioned given the email trail [3][8].

Students display a 36‑foot “Oust Wexner” banner on deposition day On the afternoon of Feb. 19, a hand‑painted banner reading “Oust Wexner” and citing “1,322 DOJ file mentions” was hung from the Knowlton School of Architecture at Ohio State University [1]. The banner remained for roughly ninety minutes before staff removed it, and the university confirmed it has received nearly 300 naming‑review requests to strip the billionaire’s name from campus facilities [1][7]. The Ohio Nurses Association and other groups have called for immediate removal of Wexner’s name from the medical center and upcoming hospital building, planning a demonstration on Feb. 22 [7].

Lawmakers demand accountability and transparency Rep. Robert Garcia (D‑CA) and Rep. Dave Min (D‑CA) urged the public to learn why Wexner donated so heavily to institutions that may have enabled Epstein’s crimes [5][6]. Republican state Sen. Andrew Brenner called for Wexner to resign from the OSU Wexner Medical Center board, citing distraction from the university’s mission [6]. Several Ohio legislators announced they would donate their Wexner contributions to charities supporting trafficking survivors as the deposition approached [11].

Timeline and knowledge gaps generate conflicting accounts Wexner said the partnership with Epstein ended in 2007 after discovering theft, yet other statements note the split occurred in 2008 following Epstein’s conviction [2][8]. He claimed ignorance of the Landon payments, while DOJ emails confirm Epstein directly authorized them, suggesting Wexner’s awareness may have been earlier [3][8]. These inconsistencies have fueled calls for a full investigation and for the deposition transcript to be made public [5][9].

Sources

Timeline

Mid‑1980s – Les Wexner begins a financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, meeting him through mutual friends and treating him as “just a guy” in business dealings[3].

1991 – Epstein receives power of attorney over Wexner’s assets, allowing him to manage investments and purchase property on Wexner’s behalf[3].

Early 2000s – Wexner makes a brief, “a few hours” visit to Epstein’s private island, later cutting ties after abuse allegations surface[1].

2007 – Wexner fires Epstein and ends the power‑of‑attorney arrangement after discovering “vast sums” of misappropriated funds[3].

2008 – Following Epstein’s prostitution conviction, Wexner and his wife Abigail formally sever their relationship, with Wexner claiming he never learned the full magnitude of the theft[9][10].

2019 – A FBI document lists Wexner as a “secondary co‑conspirator” with limited evidence; DOJ files show the Justice Department repeatedly investigates him and subpoenas his attorneys that year[1][2][3].

2022 – Ohio State University adopts a Naming Review Procedure, creating a formal process for removing donors’ names from campus facilities[8].

Dec 2025 – A coalition of former OSU athletes publicly urges the university to strip Wexner’s name from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, linking the request to his alleged Epstein ties[14].

Dec 2025 – Survivors of former OSU physician Richard Strauss protest outside the Board of Trustees meeting, demanding a subpoena of Wexner for his possible knowledge of the abuse scandal[15].

Jan 13, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Michael Watson rules that Les Wexner can be served a subpoena in the Strauss class action, allowing service by mail, email, or delivery to his security staff[13].

Jan 20, 2026 – Former OSU athletes call for the removal of board chair John Zeiger, citing a conflict of interest because Zeiger serves as Wexner’s longtime personal attorney[12].

Feb 16, 2026 – Ohio officials, including Sen. Jon Husted, announce donations of Wexner‑derived contributions to charities, while several legislators pledge to return their own Wexner donations ahead of his upcoming congressional deposition[11].

Feb 18, 2026 – Wexner appears for a closed‑door deposition at his New Albany home before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, cooperating with the subpoena and answering every question[3][10].

Feb 18, 2026 – State Sen. Andrew Brenner publicly urges Wexner to resign as chair of the OSU Wexner Medical Center board, saying the controversy “distracts the university”[7].

Feb 18, 2026 – The Ohio Nurses Association sends a letter demanding removal of Wexner’s name from the medical center and other OSU sites, citing the newly unredacted 2019 FBI file that lists him as a “co‑conspirator”[8].

Feb 19, 2026 – In testimony, Wexner describes himself as “naïve, foolish and gullible,” accuses Epstein of stealing “vast sums” from his family, and repeats that he “has done nothing wrong and has nothing to hide”[1].

Feb 19, 2026 – Rep. Thomas Massie declares the redacted “co‑conspirator” document “bigger than Watergate,” accusing the Justice Department of a decades‑long cover‑up of Wexner’s role[2].

Feb 19, 2026 – DOJ emails reveal that Epstein approved quarterly $25,000 payments to Ohio State OB‑GYN Dr. Mark Landon, billed to Les and Abigail Wexner, while Wexner tells the committee he only learned of the payments days earlier[4].

Feb 19, 2026 – Students hang a 36‑foot “Oust Wexner” banner on the Knowlton School of Architecture, noting “Wexner appears in the files 1,322 times” and demanding the removal of his name from campus buildings[5].

Feb 19, 2026 – Local residents in New Albany call for transparent, easy‑to‑read posting of deposition facts, while Rep. Robert Garcia demands an explanation for Wexner’s “massive” donations to the “largest modern sex‑trafficking ring”[6].

Feb 19, 2026 – The House Oversight Committee releases a nearly five‑hour video of Wexner’s deposition, in which he says his ties to Epstein were strictly business, that he cut ties after the 2008 conviction, and that he was unaware of the $1.3 billion stock sale and $20 million foundation transfers to an Epstein charity[9].

Feb 22, 2026 – The Ohio Nurses Association plans a campus demonstration to press for the removal of Wexner’s name before the new OSU hospital building opens the following week[8].

Early Mar 2026 – The new OSU hospital slated to open next week faces pressure from the ONA and other groups to strip Wexner’s name from the facility before its inauguration[8].

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