Wexner’s testimony paints Epstein as a business contact, not a friend In a nearly five‑hour closed‑door session before the House Oversight Committee, 88‑year‑old Les Wexner described meeting Jeffrey Epstein through mutual acquaintances in the mid‑1980s, calling him “just a guy” and insisting their interactions were strictly financial [3][5][7]. He acknowledged a brief one‑hour boat ride to Epstein’s U.S. Virgin Islands island and a similar visit to the Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, stating he saw no minors during either trip [3]. Wexner asserted he cut ties after learning Epstein stole money, coinciding with Epstein’s 2008 conviction, and claimed he never knew the scale of the theft [3][5]. He repeatedly denied any knowledge of the $1.3 billion stock sale, the $20 million foundation transfers, or any sexual abuse [3][5][7].

Maria Farmer files new lawsuit alleging 1996 assault at Wexner estate Farmer, who previously sued Epstein and settled with the victims’ compensation program, now accuses the FBI of mishandling her 1996 report and has filed a civil action through James Marsh Law [1]. She alleges Epstein sent her to Wexner’s New Albany property as an “artist in residence,” where she was sexually assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell while security guards barred her from leaving, repeating “You’re not going anywhere” [1]. Farmer maintains she never met Les Wexner, describing him as a “Wizard of Oz” behind the curtain, and notes her original lawsuit was dismissed in 2021 after compensation [1]. The FBI declined comment on the new suit [1].

Financial ties surface through contributions to Ohio officials and consulting payments Deposition excerpts reveal Wexner may have contributed over $100,000 to Ohio Senator Jon Husted over two decades, with a documented $3,500 donation on July 3 2025 [2]. Husted initially voted against releasing Epstein files in September 2025, then reversed his stance in November, later pledging to donate the contribution to charity [2]. Democratic challenger Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaign also received $10,200 from Abigail Wexner, Les’s wife, over 15 years [2]. Separate DOJ emails show Epstein approved quarterly $25,000 payments to Ohio State OB‑GYN Dr. Mark Landon, billed to the Wexners, a fact Wexner claimed he learned only days before his deposition [4][8].

Local and national officials demand transparency and return of donations Rep. Robert Garcia (D‑CA) and Rep. Dave Min highlighted Wexner’s pervasive philanthropic footprint in New Albany and urged public disclosure of the source of his wealth [6]. Ohio legislators, including Sen. Jon Husted, Rep. Mike Carey, Rep. Joyce Beatty, and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, announced charitable donations ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to trafficking‑survivor causes [10]. Mayor Andrew Ginther condemned Epstein’s crimes but did not confirm whether his campaign would return Wexner funds [10]. Survivors and Ohio State activists continue to press for removal of Wexner’s name from campus facilities [7][9].

Discrepancies emerge between Wexner’s denials and documented payments While Wexner told lawmakers he was unaware of Dr. Landon’s consulting fees, deposition transcripts and DOJ emails confirm Epstein authorized the payments and the Wexners were invoiced [4][8]. Farmer’s claim that she was escorted to Wexner’s estate contradicts Wexner’s repeated denial of ever meeting her, though both parties agree the incident occurred in 1996 [1][3]. The FBI’s 2019 document lists Wexner as a “secondary co‑conspirator” with limited evidence, yet DOJ officials maintain he was merely an information source, not a target [8][9].