The association between New Albany billionaire Leslie H. Wexner and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has come under renewed scrutiny following the release of a list of Epstein’s associates as part of a 2015 civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre. The lawsuit accused Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell of orchestrating Giuffre’s sexual encounters with prominent individuals.
U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska recently ordered the release of the previously redacted list, citing the lack of a compelling reason to keep the names concealed.
Wexner’s name features prominently in the released documents, shedding light on his business ties with Epstein dating back to the mid-1980s. Despite the proximity of their professional relationship, neither Wexner nor any other individuals mentioned in the files have faced criminal charges.
Inclusion on the list indicates potential associations as witnesses, victims, plaintiffs, or having business or social connections with Epstein and/or Maxwell, the latter currently serving a 20-year sentence for her conviction.
Depositions within the documents reference Wexner, with questions directed at Maxwell regarding her interactions with him. One instance involves a query about providing a woman with a provocative outfit for Wexner, to which Maxwell vehemently denies any such action. Another witness denies meeting Wexner or other notable figures like former Vice President Al Gore or actor Kevin Spacey.
Epstein and Wexner’s business partnership extended to the late 1980s, with Epstein holding power of attorney and broad authority to act on Wexner’s behalf.
The collaboration included Epstein serving as president of The New Albany Company development firm alongside Wexner in 1998. Epstein owned land in a New Albany development, eventually selling a property to the Wexners for $0 in 2007.
New Albany billionaire Leslie H. Wexner on Jeffrey Epstein list released by court order https://t.co/gvY664Lfx3
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) January 4, 2024
Despite shared business interests, by 2007, Epstein distanced himself from managing the Wexner family’s finances as sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in Florida. Wexner accused Epstein of embezzling tens of millions of dollars, leading to severed ties and legal action.
A subsequent donation of $47 million by Epstein to a charity established by Wexner’s wife raised further questions, with Wexner asserting that the funds originated from Epstein’s theft.
In 1982, Epstein founded J. Epstein & Company, a consulting firm that provided money-management services to individuals with a net worth of more than $1 billion.
— Templar Of Truth (@Truth_Templar) January 3, 2024
His major client for some 20 years was the billionaire retail magnate Leslie H. Wexner. Epstein came to manage much of… pic.twitter.com/K6LBi5E7jb
Wexner, in a letter to his foundation, expressed shock at the revelations, stating, “With his credibility and our trust in him destroyed, we immediately severed ties with him.
We were able to recover some of the funds.” Wexner maintained in letters to employees that he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal activities. Epstein also made substantial donations, including $336,000 to Ohio State University, funds later redirected to a state human trafficking initiative in 2020.
