Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with Jeffrey Epstein as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.
Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He's Ohio's richest person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.
- Wednesday's deposition to members of Congress puts the 88-year-old in the spotlight after keeping a low public profile in recent years.
Locally, Wexner developed New Albany in his image, and his wealth has funded education, arts, nonprofits, economic development and more.
- But Wexner was personally, professionally and financially tied to convicted sex offender Epstein for decades. Last year, Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of helping Epstein traffic teenage girls, described Wexner as once being the financier's "closest friend."
- Wexner says he cut ties with Epstein in 2007 and accused him of misappropriating $46 million.
The latest: Documents newly unredacted by the U.S. Department of Justice from 2019 name Wexner a "co-conspirator," but he has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein's abuses.
- FBI emails also detail some co-conspirators and say there's "limited evidence" regarding Wexner's involvement.
- Wexner appears or is mentioned hundreds of times in the Epstein files.
- Wexner spokesperson and legal representative Tom Davies tells Axios that Wexner "cooperated fully" in 2019 "by providing background information on Epstein and was never contacted again."
Driving the news: The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subpoenaed Wexner and others in January as part of a continued push for information related to the Epstein files.
- Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said the subpoenas were an effort to "hear directly from the individuals most closely involved in Epstein's inner circle."
- Wexner was originally ordered to Washington, D.C., but the deposition is now happening at an undisclosed location in Ohio.
What they're saying: Axios Columbus reached out to eight local institutions benefitting from Wexner's philanthropy and investment, including Ohio State University, his alma mater.
- None said they're cutting ties as of Tuesday, despite recent backlash, though some politicians have begun returning Wexner's past donations.
What we're watching: The Epstein case isn't the only controversy Wexner faces. In the next two months, he's also ordered to testify in a lawsuit against OSU over former campus doctor Richard Strauss' sexual abuse of students.
- The abuse overlapped with Wexner's time as chair of OSU's board of trustees.
- U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson denied a motion to quash that subpoena, because Wexner "may have information not readily available elsewhere."
A local legacy
The story of Wexner's rise — long framed as a classic "rags to riches" tale — begins in 1963, with a single Upper Arlington store opened with money borrowed from his aunt.
Flashback: The Limited was an immediate success and quickly expanded, kickstarting Wexner's eventual global retail empire.
Follow the money: A string of acquisitions followed — Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant, Abercrombie & Fitch and more. New brands Express and Bath & Body Works took off.
- Wexner is now worth $9.1 billion, Forbes estimates, and that wealth's weight is clear.
- The Wexner name is prevalent locally, adorning OSU's 250+ medical facilities (renamed with a historic $100 million gift), its arts center and a New Albany park.
In the '80s, Wexner co-founded the New Albany Company. The development firm transformed a sleepy village into an "affluent suburban oasis" lined with white picket fences that also houses his mansion.
- He started a foundation to support Jewish communities, donated millions to the Columbus Foundation and National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and co-founded the powerhouse nonprofit Columbus Partnership.
- He's also held numerous local leadership positions and remains on two OSU boards.
- His wife, Abigail, has been on the board of Nationwide Children's Hospital since 1993.
Stunning stat: Wexner was the longest-reigning CEO on the Fortune 500 list, at 57 years.
- He stepped down from L Brands in 2020 amid scrutiny over his ties to Epstein, but remains chairman emeritus.
Between the lines: Wexner's influence is vast, regardless of formal titles.
- Forbes reports his firm helped Ohio secure the site for Intel's semiconductor factories, the state's largest private development project.
- The Dispatch reports he "pressured" OSU to oust its former president in 2022.
When Epstein entered the picture
Wexner and Epstein reportedly met in Florida in the mid-'80s. In the years that followed, Epstein became the entrepreneur's most trusted financial advisor.
The intrigue: By July 1991, Wexner had given Epstein his power of attorney, granting him "full power and authority to do and perform every act necessary."
Throughout the '80s and '90s, the pair partnered on a variety of financial, development and real estate projects and transactions.
- In 1989, Wexner bought a $13 million New York townhome that was eventually sold to a company they both owned.
- Over 15 years, the duo made a variety of Central Ohio property deals and Epstein was named trustee on Wexner's family trust.
- Epstein bought a New Albany house in 1994 and both men were named president of The New Albany Company in a 1998 state filing, per WCMH-TV.
Maxwell said in a 2025 deposition that Epstein "ran New Albany."
- But when asked about Epstein's impact on New Albany, Davies cited a 2025 WOSU article quoting an anonymous "30-year executive" of the New Albany Company who said they had "never met" Epstein.
- "When Mr. Epstein was my personal money manager, he was involved in many aspects of my financial life. But let me assure you that I was NEVER aware of the illegal activity charged in the indictment," Wexner wrote in a statement to L Brands associates in 2019.
Epstein was arrested for soliciting prostitution in 2006, and Wexner revoked his power of attorney in 2007.
The bottom line: While having Wexner as a client is credited with fueling Epstein's success, "one unsolved mystery of the Epstein era is what exactly Wexner got out of their relationship," the New York Times reported in December.
What Wexner is saying
Law enforcement arrested Epstein in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls, igniting public scrutiny of his ties to the rich and powerful.
A month after Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell, Wexner said he was "embarrassed" he trusted him.
- "Being taken advantage of by someone who was so sick, so cunning, so depraved is something that I am embarrassed that I was even close to, but that is in the past," he said at an L Brands investors conference.
- He accused Epstein of misappropriating millions and said he cut ties in 2007.
Yes, but: In 2008, days before Epstein pleaded guilty to charges in Florida, Wexner emailed Epstein again.
- "Abigail told me the result… all I can say is I feel sorry," the email reads. "You violated your own number 1 rule… always be careful."
- Davies tells Axios "the one-off 2008 email on the occasion of Epstein going to jail simply expressed his strong disappointment that Epstein had broken the family's trust."
When asked to describe the Wexner-Epstein relationship, Davies referred Axios to a pair of communications issued by Wexner to the Wexner Foundation and L Brands in 2019.
What they're saying
In emailed responses to Axios, spokespeople for local institutions mostly avoided directly addressing questions about the Epstein controversy.
Case in point: Nationwide Children's Hospital didn't answer whether it would consider renaming its Abigail Wexner Research Institute, but noted the Wexners "have been generous donors to the hospital for many decades."
Zoom in: New Albany has historically worked with the New Albany Company, not Wexner personally, and will continue to do so, per the city spokesperson.
- The company's spokesperson did not address specific questions about whether Wexner has any current role or influence over it.
- The Columbus Partnership, for example, says Wexner continues to provide "insights" as its chair emeritus.
Friction point: Ohio State's spokesperson acknowledged recent calls to remove Wexner's name from buildings and referred Axios to its naming review procedures.
- Recently, the school denied a request to rename the Les Wexner Football Complex.
- Last week, President Ted Carter said OSU "will be paying close attention" to the federal investigation and will follow its "very defined" process regarding potential name changes.
Meanwhile, New Albany Parks and Recreation confirmed it has "no plans" to change the name of Wexner Community Park.
Davies declined to comment on calls to remove Wexner's name from buildings or organizations.
Amid increasing pressure, U.S. Reps. Mike Carey and Joyce Beatty and Sen. Jon Husted recently said they would donate campaign contributions from the Wexners to charity.
- Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said he had already donated "an unsolicited" $10,000 from Wexner.
- Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is not giving away $156,800 received from the Wexners, the Dispatch reports. His campaign has not replied to an Axios request for comment.
