In an empty lot in downtown New Albany, Ohio, Rep. Yassamin Ansari speaks as members of the US House Democrats held a news conference after deposing Ohio retail mogul Les Wexner Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 about his former financial adviser and accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner was originally ordered to appear before the committee in a closed-door meeting in Washington, D.C., according to a subpoena. But the location of the deposition was changed to Wexner’s estate in New Albany, Ohio.
In a recent appearance before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, billionaire businessman Les Wexner faced questions about his long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The testimony drew skepticism from Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), who said afterward that she found much of Wexner’s account difficult to accept.
Wexner, the founder of Bath & Body Works and former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, had professional ties to Epstein for nearly 20 years. Epstein managed Wexner’s finances during that time, a relationship that has come under intense scrutiny since Epstein’s arrest and subsequent death in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Authorities ruled Epstein’s death a suicide, but investigations into his network of associates have continued to generate public and political interest.
During his deposition, Wexner denied knowing about Epstein’s criminal activities. He described Epstein as someone who led a “double life” and characterized him as manipulative and deceptive. Wexner expressed regret for having known and trusted Epstein, portraying himself as someone who had been misled by a skilled operator.
However, Ansari said she approached the deposition hoping for direct and substantive answers, and she came away unconvinced. Speaking later on CNN, she explained that she had entered the session in good faith, expecting clarity about how such a close professional relationship could have existed without knowledge of wrongdoing. Instead, she said many of Wexner’s responses strained credibility.
One point that stood out to Ansari was Wexner’s insistence that he was not friends with Epstein. According to the congresswoman, Wexner also claimed he could not recall why he had placed so much trust in Epstein, despite reports that advisers had warned him against doing so. When pressed on why he entrusted Epstein with significant financial authority, Wexner reportedly said he did not remember the reasoning behind that decision. For Ansari, that lack of recollection on what she described as a basic and central question undermined the reliability of his broader testimony.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari, a member of the US House Democrats, talks with the media after deposing Ohio retail mogul Les Wexner Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 about his former financial adviser and accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner was originally ordered to appear before the committee in a closed-door meeting in Washington, D.C., according to a subpoena. But the location of the deposition was changed to Wexner’s estate in New Albany, Ohio.
Adding to the controversy is a previously undisclosed FBI memo from August 2019 that named Wexner as a potential co-conspirator in connection with Epstein. The memo, compiled shortly after Epstein’s death, was released by the Justice Department earlier this month. While being listed as a potential co-conspirator does not constitute a formal charge, the document has fueled questions about the extent of Wexner’s involvement.
Despite that reference in the memo, Wexner’s attorney has stated that the 88-year-old businessman is neither the subject of a federal investigation nor considered an accomplice. Ansari expressed surprise that, according to her understanding, Wexner had not been thoroughly questioned by the Department of Justice or the FBI.
She emphasized that victims frequently mention Wexner’s name when discussing Epstein’s network, often urging investigators to “follow the money.” For Ansari, the financial ties between the two men remain a central issue. Given the scale and duration of their association, she argued that it is difficult to separate Wexner’s wealth and influence from Epstein’s operations without clearer explanations.
Ultimately, Ansari concluded that the deposition left significant doubts unresolved, raising broader questions about accountability among powerful figures connected to Epstein.
