Retail mogul Les Wexner’s lawyer scolded him over the lengthy answers given during a House oversight committee hearing on Wednesday.
The video of Wexner’s nearly five-hour deposition, where he was questioned about his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was released Thursday, and Wexner’s lawyer could be heard telling him to tighten up his answers.
“I’ll f***ing kill you if you answer another question in more than five words,” Michael Levy whispered into Wexner’s ear.
The remark came after Wexner was asked how Epstein could have other clients when managing Wexner’s extensive wealth portfolio, to which he began explaining the breakdown of his employees who manage his personal finances.
Before telling Wexner to answer briefly, Levy had to continue reminding Wexner to answer the question and not tell stories.
Questions about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Epstein also came up during the deposition.
“I would go to some of the Victoria’s Secret fashion shows because it was very important to the brand,” Wexner said. “At some of the fashion shows, Jeffrey was there, and [at] some, Trump was there. Trump would always introduce himself to me. I always thought it was kind of odd … because [Trump] had nothing to do with fashion.”
Wexner did not place Epstein and Trump together at the same fashion show, “I have no specific recollection.” He also said he didn’t think of the two as friends and said Epstein “held him out as a friend.”
Wexner was subpoenaed to testify before the committee after his name appeared over 200 times in the Epstein files. Wexner answered questions from his home in New Albany, Ohio.
Throughout the deposition, Wexner maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s involvement with underage girls and said their association ended when Epstein was being investigated in 2006.
Wexner, the founder of LBrands, which owns clothing lines such as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch, called Epstein a “conman” and said he was not aware of Epstein’s crimes.
LES WEXNER TESTIFIES HE WAS ‘CONNED’ IN EPSTEIN RELATIONSHIP BUT DID ‘NOTHING WRONG’
The 88-year-old billionaire explained that Epstein started managing his personal finances in the 1980s. He said Epstein called the services “favors” in a con to gain Wexner’s trust.
Once the Epstein files were released and Wexner had time to review the finances managed by the late financier, Wexner said Epstein had stolen millions of dollars from his family.
