Congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA), who serves as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, said lawmakers still have “many, many questions” for L Brands founder Leslie Wexner during a closed-door deposition in New Albany, Ohio on Wednesday, where the billionaire was questioned about his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to reporters during a recess, Garcia said lawmakers would continue questioning Wexner throughout the afternoon as part of Congress’s broader probe into Epstein’s network and the role of his longtime associates. The California Democrat said lawmakers are seeking information from anyone connected to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in connection with the abuse and trafficking of women and girls.
Garcia stated that Wexner played a central financial role in Epstein’s rise. He said public reporting shows no individual was more instrumental in funding Epstein than Wexner, adding that survivors have expressed concerns about the “enormous amount of money” that was transferred over to the financier. According to Garcia, lawmakers are examining what he characterized as roughly $1 billion in cash, stock, or other assets that was moved from Wexner to Epstein.
Epstein’s Island Would Not Have Been Possible Without Wexner, According To Garcia
Garcia called out Wexner on his attempts to distance himself from Epstein. Garcia said the two were “very close,” citing reporting and Wexner’s own admissions that he visited Epstein’s island and other properties and gave Epstein significant access to his wealth. He also noted that Wexner offered few answers when pressed on certain issues, including Epstein’s role in a foundation connected to the area where the deposition was held. “Mr. Wexner had little to say,” Garcia stated. “In fact, it’s clear that he is trying to downplay how close the two actually were.”
Most notably, Garcia stated that Epstein’s fortune and trafficking operations would not have been possible without Wexner’s backing. “We should be very clear that there would be no Epstein Island. There’d be no Epstein plane. There’d be no money to traffic women and girls. Mr. Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was without the support of Les Wexner, and it’s very important for us to note that at this moment.”
He also called out President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi for leading what he called a “White House cover-up” to shield wealthy Epstein associates, pointing out that more than half of the Epstein-related files have yet to be released to Congress or the public.
Garcia said the Oversight Committee would keep questioning witnesses and pursuing documents as part of its investigation, adding that members are “willing to go anywhere” to gather information about Epstein’s crimes.
