Mid‑1980s – Financial relationship between Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein begins, laying the groundwork for later controversies over wealth transfers and power‑of‑attorney arrangements [4].

1991 – Epstein receives power of attorney over Wexner’s assets, granting him control of investments and property purchases, a key step that later enables alleged misappropriation [4][10].

1996 – Survivor Maria Farmer reports that, while serving as artist‑in‑residence at Wexner’s New Albany estate, she is sexually assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and barred from leaving by security guards who say “You’re not going anywhere”; she later describes Wexner as the “Wizard of Oz” behind the curtain, having never met him [5].

2007 – Wexner ends his relationship with Epstein after discovering large thefts, describing the split as “bitter” and cutting all ties to the financier [4][10].

June 2008 – Despite Epstein’s 2008 prostitution conviction, Wexner emails the financier following the plea deal, indicating continued contact after the formal break‑up [4].

2019 – The FBI subpoenas Wexner and labels him a “secondary co‑conspirator” in a redacted Justice Department file, though officials later tell his lawyers he is merely an information source, not a target [2][1].

2019 – Farmer files a civil lawsuit alleging Epstein‑directed abuse at Wexner’s estate, adding her claims to the growing legal pressure on the billionaire’s network [5].

2021 – Farmer voluntarily dismisses her lawsuit after receiving compensation from the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, which has paid over $121 million to survivors [5].

July 3, 2025 – Federal Election Commission records show Wexner contributes $3,500 to Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s campaign, part of more than $100,000 he may have given over two decades [6][11].

Feb 16, 2026 – Several Ohio lawmakers, including Sen. Jon Husted, announce they will donate or redirect Wexner‑related contributions to charities supporting trafficking survivors, while others pledge similar returns amid the upcoming deposition [11].

Feb 18, 2026 – A House Oversight Committee subpoena issued on Jan 23 compels Wexner to appear for a closed‑door deposition in New Albany, Ohio, where he affirms he will cooperate with investigators [4][10][11].

Feb 18, 2026 – In testimony, Wexner calls himself “naïve, foolish and gullible,” denies any knowledge of Epstein’s sexual crimes, and asserts he “did nothing wrong and has nothing to hide,” while Rep. Robert Garcia declares, “No one was more involved in providing Epstein with financial support than Wexner” [1][10].

Feb 19, 2026 – The Committee releases a nearly five‑hour video where Wexner describes Epstein as a business contact, admits brief island and New Mexico ranch visits, and denies knowledge of trafficking or a $20 million foundation donation; internal DOJ emails reveal $25,000 quarterly payments to Ohio State OB‑GYN Dr. Mark Landon billed to the Wexners, which Wexner says he learned of only days earlier; New Mexico’s attorney general reopens the ranch probe; Ohio residents call for transparent, easy‑to‑read summaries, and Rep. Garcia demands an explanation of Wexner’s philanthropy to the “largest modern sex‑trafficking ring” [7][8][9].

Feb 20, 2026 – Wexner acknowledges it is “possible” he gave over $100,000 to Sen. Husted across two decades, confirming the July 2025 donation and noting Husted’s reversal from voting against to voting for the release of the Epstein files in November 2025 [6].

Feb 21, 2026 – Epstein survivor Maria Farmer issues a statement after the deposition, reiterating her 1996 abuse claim, emphasizing she never met Wexner, and labeling him the “Wizard of Oz” who operated behind the curtain of her trauma [3].

Future (post‑deposition) – The House Oversight Committee plans to publish a full transcript of Wexner’s testimony, while the Justice Department says its review of the Epstein files is complete and no further prosecutions are expected, even as Ohio State activists continue to seek removal of Wexner’s name from campus facilities [11][3][10].