Les Wexner Subpoenaed for *Closed* Hearing Over Ties With Epstein
In the most significant development in the long-running probe into the activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the U.S. House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena for billionaire businessman Les Wexner. The move, approved on January 7, 2026, requires Wexner to appear for a private deposition as part of the committee’s investigation into Epstein’s crimes and potential government mishandling.
Wexner, the Ohio-based founder of L Brands—which includes iconic retail chains like Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works—has been a focal point due to his decades-long association with Epstein
However, recently unsealed documents, including a 2019 FBI email, have mentioned Wexner in contexts related to potential Epstein associates. Despite this scrutiny, Wexner has not faced any charges, and during a prior U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation, he was informed that he was neither a target nor a co-conspirator.
Representatives for Wexner have affirmed his intention to cooperate fully with the subpoena, consistent with his responses to earlier inquiries. The deposition will involve sworn testimony before the committee, conducted privately and transcribed, though not open to the public. Transcripts could be released later with approval from committee leaders. Failure to comply could lead to contempt of Congress charges, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment, as exemplified by past cases like that of Steve Bannon.
This subpoena is part of a committee effort, which has already targeted figures such as Bill and Hillary Clinton and former Department of Justice officials. No specific public hearing date related to Epstein has been set for 2026, and the committee—comprising Ohio Republicans Jim Jordan and Michael Turner, as well as Democrat Shontel Brown—continues its work amid calls for transparency.
The investigation aligns with ongoing initiatives to unseal Epstein-related documents under congressional transparency laws, with the DOJ reviewing over 5.2 million pages. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, maintained ties to numerous prominent individuals across politics and business, including former President Donald Trump, with whom he had a public falling out. As more details emerge, the subpoena of Wexner presents the persistent quest for accountability in one of the most notorious scandals of recent decades.