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Maria Farmer Issues Statement After Les Wexner Deposition Amid New DOJ Files

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Wexner Testifies, Denies Knowledge of Abuse During a closed‑door, nearly five‑hour deposition before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, 88‑year‑old Les Wexner called himself “naïve, foolish and gullible,” said he met Jeffrey Epstein only as a business contact, and asserted he never witnessed or knew of any sexual misconduct on his property [3][4][5]. He confirmed a brief, one‑hour visit to Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands island and a similar trip to the New Mexico Zorro Ranch, stating he saw no minors during either visit [3]. Wexner also said he cut ties with Epstein in 2007 after learning of alleged theft, and maintains he has done nothing illegal and faces no charges [5][1].

Maria Farmer Reiterates 1996 Abuse Claims Survivor Maria Farmer, who first reported Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the 1990s, emailed Newsweek after the deposition reiterating that she was sent to Wexner’s New Albany estate as an “artist in residence” in 1996 and was sexually assaulted by Epstein and Maxwell [1][2]. She alleges Wexner’s security team barred her from leaving, threatening her with sharpshooters, guns and guard dogs, and says she never actually met Wexner, describing him as a “Wizard of Oz” behind the curtain [2][1]. Farmer is now suing the FBI for mishandling her original 1996 report, while her earlier 2019 lawsuit was dismissed after she accepted compensation from the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program [2][1].

DOJ Files Reveal Extensive but Non‑Criminal Links The Justice Department’s recent release of “Epstein files” lists Wexner’s name more than 1,000 times, alongside figures such as Donald Trump and Bill Gates, but the department has stated the presence of his name does not imply criminal liability and no further prosecutions are expected [1][4][6]. A 2019 FBI document labeled Wexner a “secondary co‑conspirator” with limited evidence, and internal emails show the FBI subpoenaed him in 2019 to inquire about possible payments to minors [6][4]. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Wexner was treated as an information source rather than a target in the investigation [4].

Congressional Leaders Emphasize Wexner’s Financial Role Rep. Robert Garcia warned that without Wexner’s financial backing Epstein would not have had the resources for his island, plane, or trafficking operations, while Rep. Ro Khanna named Wexner among six “powerful men” allegedly hidden by the DOJ [1][5]. Rep. James Comer noted Wexner answered every question during the deposition, and Rep. Robert Garcia called him the top financial supporter of Epstein’s crimes [1][5]. Democratic members of the committee traveled to Ohio for the testimony, whereas Republicans sent only staff, underscoring partisan interest in the probe [4].

Survivors Pursue Legal and Campus Actions In addition to Farmer’s new FBI lawsuit, survivors such as Virginia Giuffre and Maria Farmer have urged Ohio State University to strip Wexner’s name from the football complex and medical center, citing the newly released records as evidence of his complicity [5][7]. A court order has compelled Wexner to testify in a separate lawsuit seeking removal of his name from campus sites [7]. Activists continue to press Congress for further accountability, leveraging the deposition video and DOJ files to sustain public scrutiny [1][6].

Sources

Timeline

Mid‑1980s – Les Wexner meets Jeffrey Epstein through mutual acquaintances and treats him as “just a guy” business contact, establishing the relationship that later fuels the scandal [6].

1991 – Wexner grants Epstein power of attorney over his investments, allowing Epstein to manage assets and purchase property on Wexner’s behalf [7].

1996 – Survivor Maria Farmer works as “artist‑in‑residence” at Wexner’s New Albany estate, is sexually assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and is threatened by security guards who tell her “You’re not going anywhere” [5].

Late 1990s – Farmer files an early police report naming Epstein and Maxwell, becoming one of the first whistle‑blowers of the abuse network [3].

2007 – Wexner “cuts ties” with Epstein after discovering alleged theft, ending a financial partnership that began in 1991 [1][7].

June 2008 – Despite the split, Wexner emails Epstein following Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, indicating continued, albeit limited, contact [4].

2008 – Epstein is convicted on a prostitution charge, a case Wexner later says prompted him to sever the relationship [6].

2019 – The FBI issues a subpoena to Wexner and lists him as a “secondary co‑conspirator” with “limited evidence,” while DOJ officials describe him only as an information source, not a target [1][2][7].

2019 – Farmer files a civil lawsuit alleging Epstein‑directed abuse at Wexner’s estate, later dismissing the case after receiving compensation from the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program [5].

2021 – Farmer’s lawsuit is voluntarily dismissed after she accepts compensation; the Victims’ Compensation Program has paid over $121 million to survivors [5].

Feb 18, 2026 – Wexner testifies before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Ohio, describing himself as “naïve, foolish, and gullible,” denying any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and asserting he “has nothing to hide” [7][4].

Feb 19, 2026 – The Committee releases a nearly five‑hour video of Wexner’s deposition, in which he repeats that his ties to Epstein were strictly business and that he was “duped” by the financier [6].

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 [2].

Feb 19, 2026 – Rep. Robert Garcia warns that “no one was more involved in providing Epstein with financial support for his crimes than Wexner,” emphasizing the billionaire’s role in funding the abuse network [7].

Feb 19, 2026 – FBI Director Kash Patel testifies that there is “no credible information” linking Epstein to any other traffickers, reinforcing the agency’s stance on the lack of evidence against men like Wexner [2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Survivor Maria Farmer issues a statement after the deposition, reiterating her 1996 abuse claim and describing Wexner as the “Wizard of Oz” behind the curtain, while noting that the newly released DOJ files “vindicate” her early complaint [3].

Feb 21, 2026 – Rep. Ro Khanna names Wexner among six “powerful men” hidden by the DOJ, and Rep. James Comer notes that Wexner “answered every question” during the session, underscoring congressional pressure for accountability [3].

2026 (ongoing) – New Mexico’s attorney general reopens the investigation into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch after Wexner’s admission of a brief visit, and Ohio State alumni pursue a court order to compel Wexner to testify in a lawsuit seeking removal of his name from campus facilities [4][6].

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