Billionaire claims he was "conned" by Epstein #planetamerica #epsteinfiles #epsteininvestigation

By ABC News In-depth

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Key Concepts

  • Les Wexner: American retail businessman, founder and former CEO of L Brands (formerly Limited Brands), and Epstein’s long-time financial advisor.
  • Jeffrey Epstein: Financier and convicted sex offender.
  • Epstein Island: Private island owned by Epstein, central to allegations of sex trafficking.
  • Department of Justice (DOJ): US federal law enforcement agency.
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): US federal law enforcement agency.
  • Deposition: Pre-trial testimony taken under oath.

Wexner’s Congressional Testimony & Lack of Investigation

This account details Les Wexner’s recent appearance before a congressional committee regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The central revelation is that Wexner, Epstein’s financial advisor from the 1990s to the early 2000s, claims to have never been interviewed by either the FBI or the US Department of Justice concerning Epstein’s crimes. This fact was established during a deposition where Congressman Robert Garcia directly questioned Wexner about contact from these agencies. Wexner explicitly stated, “No,” when asked if the DOJ or FBI had ever contacted him regarding Epstein and his crimes.

Wexner’s Account of His Relationship with Epstein

Wexner testified he had no personal relationship with Epstein beyond a professional capacity as his financial advisor. He also denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities involving women and girls. However, the transcript highlights inconsistencies and raises questions about the veracity of his claims. When questioned about conversations with Epstein, Wexner admitted Epstein discussed massage therapy, stating, “He told me massage therapy was great and I should get massages.” This admission, coupled with Wexner’s repeated, seemingly nervous chuckling during the questioning, was noted as “rather unfortunate.”

Wexner presented himself as a victim of Epstein, alleging he was financially defrauded. He claims Epstein “conned” him.

Democratic Scrutiny & the Significance of Wexner’s Support

Democrats, specifically Congressman Robert Garcia, strongly challenged Wexner’s attempts to distance himself from Epstein. Garcia argued, “There would be no Epstein Island. Mr. Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was without the support of Les Wexner.” This statement underscores the critical role Wexner’s financial backing played in enabling Epstein’s lifestyle and alleged crimes. The implication is that Wexner’s wealth directly facilitated the environment in which Epstein’s abuses occurred.

Lawyer Intervention & Potential Over-Sharing

The deposition revealed a tense dynamic between Wexner and his legal counsel. At one point, Wexner’s lawyer audibly intervened, stating, “I will [__] kill you. Answer the questions. Okay,” seemingly attempting to curtail Wexner’s responses and prevent him from revealing further information. This intervention suggests the lawyer believed Wexner was potentially disclosing damaging details.

Lack of Investigation – A Critical Point

The most significant takeaway is the apparent lack of investigation into Wexner’s potential knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. The fact that the DOJ and FBI have not interviewed a key financial supporter of Epstein, despite the scale and severity of the allegations, is presented as a critical oversight. The transcript emphasizes the importance of this point, urging the audience to “Let that sink in for just a moment.”

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