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The Epstein saga engulfs Les Wexner — and the Ohio he helped build
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The Epstein saga engulfs Les Wexner — and the Ohio he helped build

#Les Wexner #Jeffrey Epstein #Ohio politics #House Oversight Committee #Campaign donations #New Albany development #George Voinovich #Sex trafficking scandal

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Wexner's political influence in Ohio began with his support for Governor George Voinovich in 1990
  • Epstein's association has threatened Wexner's legacy in Columbus and New Albany
  • Ohio politicians are scrambling to distance themselves from Wexner's campaign donations
  • The Epstein investigation has revealed Wexner was mentioned as a possible co-conspirator in FBI documents

📖 Full Retelling

Les Wexner, the Ohio retail magnate whose empire included Victoria's Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch, found his legacy and the political landscape of Ohio under intense scrutiny in February 2026 due to his decades-long ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the House Oversight Committee investigated their relationship and politicians distanced themselves from Wexner's political donations. The investigation focused on New Albany, Ohio, where Epstein owned property and played a senior role in Wexner's development firm during the 1990s, as congressional members traveled to the area to depose Wexner, who has maintained he was 'naïve, foolish, and gullible' regarding Epstein's criminal activities. Wexner's political influence in Ohio began in 1990 when he contributed $100,000 to Republican George Voinovich's successful gubernatorial campaign, opening doors that had previously been difficult to navigate as he sought to translate his business success into civic power. This relationship helped Wexner transform the once-small town of New Albany into an upscale exurban enclave around his mansion, with a state-funded highway interchange enabling the construction of a premium Columbus shopping mall anchored by his stores, while also fostering a coalition of CEOs credited with modernizing Columbus' image from a Midwestern backwater.

🏷️ Themes

Political Influence, Legacy Reassessment, Scandal Fallout

📚 Related People & Topics

United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the main investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives. The committee's broad jurisdiction and legislative authority make it one of the most influential and powerful panels in the House. Its chair is one of only three in the...

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Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein

American financier and child sex offender (1953–2019)

# Jeffrey Edward Epstein **Jeffrey Edward Epstein** (January 20, 1953 – August 10, 2019) was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He is notorious for orchestrating a massive human trafficking ring, procuring at least 1,000 underage girls and young women for sexual exploitation by himse...

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Les Wexner

Les Wexner

American businessman (born 1937)

Leslie Herbert Wexner (born September 8, 1937) is an American billionaire businessman and political activist. He is the co-founder and chair emeritus of Bath & Body Works, Inc. He has been the principal in Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria's Secret and La Senza, amongst several other retail corporations...

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Politics of Ohio

Politics of a U.S. state

Political control of Ohio has oscillated between the two major parties. Republicans outnumber Democrats in Ohio government. The governor, Mike DeWine, is a Republican, as are all other non-judicial statewide elected officials: Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Jim Tressel, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost,...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:

👤 Jeffrey Epstein 16 shared
👤 Hillary Clinton 8 shared
👤 Bill Clinton 7 shared
🌐 Deposition 6 shared
👤 Ghislaine Maxwell 5 shared
View full profile

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein have cast doubt on his philanthropic legacy and forced Ohio politicians to distance themselves, highlighting how business influence can be tainted by criminal associations.

Context & Background

  • Wexner invested $100,000 in George Voinovich's 1990 campaign, gaining political influence in Ohio.
  • He developed New Albany and a Columbus mall with state support, becoming a major local benefactor.
  • Epstein managed Wexner's finances in the 1990s and owned property in New Albany, linking Wexner to the sex‑trafficking scandal.
  • Wexner cut ties with Epstein in 2007 but was later named a possible co‑conspirator in FBI documents.

What Happens Next

Ohio lawmakers are reviewing Wexner’s donations and considering removing his name from university buildings, while federal investigations continue to assess his role. Politicians who received his money are likely to return or redirect contributions to charity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Wexner admit to wrongdoing?

He denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said he cut ties in 2007.

Are Wexner’s donations being returned?

Some politicians have returned or redirected funds, but others have not yet.

What impact does this have on Ohio politics?

It has prompted scrutiny of campaign contributions and led to calls for transparency and accountability.

Original Source
The Epstein saga engulfs Les Wexner — and the Ohio he helped build The retail mogul's ties to Jeffrey Epstein have upended his legacy and put the state's political leaders under scrutiny. Jeffrey Epstein, Les Wexner and a person who has been redacted pose together in an undated photo. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 20, 2026, 5:00 AM EST By Henry J. Gomez Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Around the time he began taking financial advice from Jeffrey Epstein, Ohio’s richest man made a fateful investment. It was 1990, and Leslie Wexner, whose retail clothing empire included brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret, put $100,000 behind Republican George Voinovich’s successful campaign for governor. The contributions opened doors that Wexner had sometimes struggled to walk through while attempting to translate his philanthropy and success in business into civic and political power in his home state. Aided by his new friends in the Voinovich administration, Wexner developed this once-small town into an exurban enclave around his mansion. Helped along by a state-funded highway interchange, he built an upscale Columbus shopping mall anchored by his stores. “George used to say, ‘We need to do more with less,’” said a longtime Republican operative and Voinovich ally, recalling the late governor’s reputation for frugality . “We used to say that was a double entendre: ‘Do more for Les.’” Wexner’s relationship with Voinovich also planted the seeds for a coalition of CEOs that is credited with shedding Columbus’ image as a Midwestern backwater. Meanwhile, Wexner continued his charitable giving toward pro-Jewish causes, education and other public policy areas — adding to a legacy that put his name on a hospital , art gallery and football training complex at his alma mater, Ohio State University. But that legacy is now in jeopardy, given Wexner’s association with Epstein, the lat...
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