A lawyer representing the former CEO of lingerie line Victoria’s Secret had a blunt message for his client as he was grilled over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Les Wexner sat for a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee as part of its inquiry into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s network, money and influence.
The ex-Victoria’s Secret boss has faced accusations that his relationship with Epstein helped the financier amass significant wealth. An FBI document from 2019 also listed Wexner as a potential co-conspirator, though he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Wexner has consistently denied involvement in Epstein’s crimes, previously calling himself ‘naive, foolish, and gullible’ for having trusted him. Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
One portion of Wexner’s Oversight Committee appearance has since drawn attention, after footage captured his attorney offering him pointed advice mid-questioning.
Roughly four and a half hours into the deposition, attorney Michael Levy was recorded leaning in and whispering to his client: “I will f**king kill you if you answer another question with more than five words, OK?”
Levy appeared to smile as he delivered the remark. Wexner then laughed briefly before the deposition continued.
The committee published the exchange on Thursday (February 19) as part of the full video from Wexner’s deposition.
Take a look at the moment below:
Much of the questioning centered on Epstein’s work for Wexner and the circumstances that allowed him to gain access to the billionaire’s finances and assets.
Wexner, now 88, spoke at length about the scope of his holdings, explaining that a detailed inventory was required and that he hadn’t understood the need for such a process before employing Epstein.
He also provided prepared remarks to the committee, saying he severed ties after learning of Epstein’s conduct.
“I completely and irrevocably cut ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago when I learned that he was an abuser, a crook and a liar,” he said.
“I was never a participant nor co-conspirator in any of Epstein’s illegal activities.”
In the same statement, Wexner said he first met Epstein in the 1980s while searching for someone to oversee his personal financial affairs.
After the deposition, a spokesperson for Wexner issued a statement to the BBC, saying: “Mr Wexner honestly answered every question put to him today by the Committee.
“Mr Wexner reiterated that he has no knowledge of, and did not participate in, Epstein’s illegal conduct. He stands by that fervently.”