February 19, 2026 • USA

EPSTEIN WEXNER DEPOSITION: Bear Stearns, Rothschild, Jeff Bezos, and Google CEO Directly Named in Epstein Deposition – Full Infograph Inside

In a lengthy and wide-ranging deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, billionaire Leslie H. Wexner answers questions about his decades-long professional and personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner describes being 'conned' by Epstein, whom he labels an 'Olympic all-time con artist,' while asserting he had no knowledge of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors and was himself a victim of theft amounting to at least $100 million.

📝 SMikhail

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1986

First Meeting (approx)

Wexner estimates he first met Jeffrey Epstein around 1986, though he later clarifies it was 'probably between 80 and 85.'

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1963

First Store Opened

Wexner opened his first store in 1963 with a $5,000 loan from his aunt Ida.

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10,000

Stores Opened

Wexner estimates he opened approximately 10,000 stores across 20 different brands during his career.

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Business Divisions

At the height of his career, Wexner was running approximately 20 different business divisions simultaneously.

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1993

Year Married

Wexner married Abigail on September 8th, 1992 (engagement) and in 1993 (wedding).

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1991-1992

Power of Attorney Granted

Wexner granted Epstein an unfettered power of attorney covering all his assets in 1991.

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$5,000

Initial Loan

Wexner started his business with a $5,000 loan from his aunt Ida.

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$20M

NYC Townhouse Sale

Wexner recalls selling his 71st Street Manhattan townhouse to Epstein for approximately $20 million, which he believed was market value at the time.

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$6M

Airplane Sale

Wexner's company sold a Boeing 727 to Epstein for approximately $6 million, which he states was the appraised asking price.

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$100M+

Minimum Theft Amount

Wexner testifies he learned that Epstein stole at least $100 million from him, with DOJ documents later suggesting 'several hundred million dollars.'

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$1.3B

Stock Moved

According to a DOJ summary presented during the deposition, Epstein moved approximately $1.3 billion in stock through trusts for which he was trustee.

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$20M

Foundation Transfers

Wexner expresses shock at learning during the deposition that approximately $20 million from his charitable foundations was transferred to one of Epstein's charities.

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1992

Foundation Trustee

Epstein was elected as a trustee of the Wexner Foundation in 1992 and remained in that role until September 2007.

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1 Hour

Island Visit Duration

Wexner describes a brief visit to Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands, lasting approximately one hour with his wife and children.

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1-2 Hours

Ranch Visit Duration

Wexner recalls visiting Epstein's New Mexico ranch for approximately one to two hours with his wife.

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30 Acres

Initial Land Purchase

Wexner initially bought a 30-acre farm in what would become New Albany, approximately a mile from his current home.

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300-400 Hours

Annual Air Travel

At his busiest, Wexner spent 300-400 hours per year flying on business purposes.

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$46M

Specific Theft Amount

When asked if $46 million sounded like an approximation of what he was alerted to, Wexner did not confirm, stating he only knew it was at least $100 million.

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2008

$100M Repayment

Wexner's counsel represented to DOJ that Epstein repaid approximately $100 million in 2008, though Wexner personally has no knowledge of the specifics.

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Staff Estimate

Wexner estimates approximately 20 people work on his New Albany property at any given time.

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1975

Security Start

Wexner has had private security since 1975.

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Trusts Identified

An ABC News article introduced as exhibit B identified nearly a dozen trusts connected to Wexner that listed Epstein as trustee.

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15+ Years

Duration of 'Gang Stuff'

In a draft email from Epstein introduced as exhibit H, Epstein refers to having 'gang stuff' with Wexner for over 15 years.

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1996

Maria Farmer Incident

Maria Farmer was reportedly brought to the guest house on property adjacent to Wexner's in 1996.

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2003

50th Birthday Book

A birthday book was compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in January 2003, to which Wexner contributed a note signed 'your friend Leslie' with a drawing of breasts.

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$25,000

Quarterly Payments

Wexner expresses shock upon learning that $25,000 quarterly payments were made from his accounts to Dr. Landon in 2005 and earlier, stating he learned of this 'not till this moment.'

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$2.3M

Foundation Transfer

Wexner expresses shock upon learning that his foundation transferred at least $2.3 million to former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

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$300,000

OSU Donations

Ohio State University identified a little over $300,000 in donations directly from Epstein and one of his foundations.

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$2.5M

COQ Foundation Gift

Ohio State University also reported a gift of approximately $2.5 million from the COQ Foundation, another Epstein entity.

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2005

Investigation Start

Police in Palm Beach, Florida began investigating Epstein in 2005.

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2006

First Arrest

Epstein was first arrested in July 2006 for soliciting prostitution from minors.

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2007

Foundation Exit

Epstein remained a trustee of the Wexner Foundation until September 2007.

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2008

Plea Deal

Epstein entered a plea deal in 2008 related to solicitation of minors.

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2019

Second Arrest & Death

Epstein was arrested again in 2019 and died in custody at the MCC in New York City.

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2020

Foundation Review

An independent review of Epstein's involvement with the Wexner Foundation was dated February 24, 2020.

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2026-02-09

Deposition Date

The deposition was noticed for and took place on February 9, 2026.

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5+ Hours

Deposition Duration

The deposition began at 10:17 AM and concluded at approximately 3:12 PM, with breaks, totaling over 5 hours of testimony.

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NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP

Wexner first met Epstein around 1986 in Florida, introduced by friends Bob and Wendy Meister.
He consistently testifies that their relationship was strictly business and professional, not personal. He states, 'I didn't see Jeffrey as a friend. I saw Jeffrey as I see Matt, my attorney, is friend. We're friendly, but we're not friends.'
Wexner claims they never socialized, went to lunch, or had a cup of coffee together, describing their interactions as primarily business calls, often erratic in frequency.
He denies ever having any sexual or romantic relationship with Epstein or any other man, stating, 'I'm very straight. Super straight.'
He testifies that he only met Ghislaine Maxwell around the time of his engagement to Abigail in the early 1990s, understanding her to be Epstein's girlfriend and later fiancée.

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FINANCIAL CONTROL AND THEFT

Wexner hired Epstein as a financial advisor in the mid-1980s, initially to help manage the 'complexity' of his personal finances, similar to a family office manager.
He confirms Epstein had power of attorney over his personal financial matters, a practice he also had with previous and subsequent advisors to manage a busy schedule and sign documents like tax returns.
Wexner testifies he had 'wide latitude' over his financial affairs and is 'sure he [Epstein] did' have access to personal bank accounts, though he doesn't recall specifics.
Regarding the scale of Epstein's theft, Wexner says, 'I don't think I'll ever know.' He confirms learning of at least $100 million being stolen and expresses shock at documents showing an estimated 'several hundred million dollars' was misappropriated.
He expresses 'effing shock' and being 'appalled' upon learning, during the deposition, of specific financial schemes, including $20 million in stock and cash from his foundations being contributed to one of Epstein's charities.

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REAL ESTATE AND ASSETS

Wexner details selling his New York City townhouse on 71st Street to Epstein, recalling a sale price of about $20 million, which he believed was a fair market deal at the time.
He testifies he did not live in the New York home, as he 'hate[s] New York.'
Regarding the New Albany, Ohio, property where Epstein lived, Wexner clarifies it was his friend and business partner Jack Kessler's house, located about half a mile away on adjacent property, not his own.
He denies that security staff employed by him ever guarded Kessler's house, saying it would be 'frankly impossible.'
He describes brief visits to Epstein's properties in Palm Beach, Florida (an hour-long trip with his wife and friends), and his ranch in New Mexico (a short visit), stating there were no other people present and nothing abnormal about the appearances.
On the sale of a company airplane to Epstein, he recalls the asking price was $6 million, which was based on an independent broker's appraisal, and believes the company got a fair deal.

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ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT

Wexner repeatedly and emphatically denies any prior knowledge of Epstein's sexual abuse of minors or adults, stating, 'Absolutely not. I've asked myself that question over and over why I didn't see that... Not even a clue of a clue.'
He testifies he was never aware of Epstein or Maxwell trafficking women or minors using his assets, such as his plane or yacht.
He denies ever receiving a massage from or being introduced to young women by Epstein or Maxwell for any purpose, including sexual ones.
He claims he only learned of specific allegations, like those from Maria Farmer and Virginia Roberts Giuffre, through the press, and has no recollection of the individuals being on his or Kessler's property.
Regarding Epstein holding himself out as a talent scout for Victoria's Secret, Wexner recalls being alerted to this 'once,' confronting Epstein, and receiving a blanket denial ('Do you think I'm stupid?'), which he believed at the time.

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RESPONSE TO INVESTIGATIONS

Wexner states he first became aware of an investigation into Epstein when it appeared in the press, likely around the time of a lawsuit by a woman in the mid-2000s.
He recalls calling Epstein at the time, who told him he was being 'shaken down by a hooker,' an explanation Wexner says he initially believed.
He confirms his wife, Abigail, and attorneys advised him to cut ties with Epstein, which he did, stating that from his point of view after 2008, 'he was dead.'
He testifies that he did not file criminal charges against Epstein for theft, following the advice of his legal and financial advisors.
He says he has never been contacted or formally interviewed by the FBI or the Department of Justice regarding Epstein or Maxwell, despite his attorneys providing information to the DOJ.
He expresses a willingness to provide any information or documents he can to assist the committee, stating he would do 'everything I can to nail that son of a bitch.'

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REFLECTIONS AND REMORSE

Wexner describes himself as a victim who was 'conned by the world Olympic all-time con artist,' repeatedly expressing anger and embarrassment at having been deceived.
He states that in hindsight, he believes much of what Epstein told him—about clients like the founders of Google and Jeff Bezos—was part of the con.
He expresses deep dismay that his money may have been used to enable Epstein's crimes, stating, 'It's weird to me, too,' when learning of his money funding payments to Dr. Landon at Ohio State University.
He concludes by stating his belief that if the government truly understands the scope of the con, they will find much more to investigate, comparing Epstein to a bank robber who robs many banks.
He reiterates his commitment to helping the committee and states his hope that his testimony helps them understand the extent of the 'sinister' and 'diabolical' con.

KEY QUOTES

"I think in the perspective that I have now and I think what's really important for this group to understand is it as I look back at it I was conned by the world Olympic all-time con artist." - Les Wexner

"I never saw Jeffrey as a friend. I saw Jeffrey as I see Matt, my attorney, is friend. We're friendly, but we're not friends." - Les Wexner

"Absolutely not. I've asked myself that question over and over why I didn't see that... Not even a clue of a clue." - Les Wexner, on missing signs of Epstein's crimes

"Effing shocked. I I just I'm appalled. I never heard that." - Les Wexner, reacting to information presented during the deposition

"Abigail told me the result. All I can say is I feel sorry. You violated your own number one rule. Always be careful." - Les Wexner, in a 2008 email to Epstein, read into the record

"I would do everything I can to nail that son of a bitch." - Les Wexner

"The only time I really remember that I mentioned earlier, my wife would have surprise parties and I'd get on the airplane and there'd be acquaintances, you know, friends... and I was always shocked who was there." - Les Wexner

Les Wexner Jeffrey Epstein Ghislaine Maxwell House Oversight Committee sexual abuse sex trafficking fraud theft Victoria's Secret New Albany Jack Kessler Maria Farmer Virginia Giuffre Alan Dershowitz Ehud Barak Bill Clinton Donald Trump Prince Andrew Wexner Foundation embezzlement Bob Meister Wendy Meister Vanity Fair article Breakers Hotel Abigail Wexner Rothschild Jeff Bezos Google CEO Michael Levy Elizabeth Martin Matthew Zigger Ohio State University

📝 FULL DEPOSITION - Les Wexner Testifies About Epstein To House Oversight Committee Probe Transcript - February 18, 2026 VTT 📽️ FULL DEPOSITION - Les Wexner Testifies About Epstein To House Oversight Committee Probe - February 18, 2026

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