Les Wexner congressional deposition underway

The congressional testimony of Leslie Wexner, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s closest associates and biggest benefactors, began behind closed doors in Ohio on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter told MS NOW.

The testimony comes weeks after the Justice Department released millions of additional files on Epstein that revealed new connections between the notorious sex offender and prominent business and political figures.

Wexner, 88-year-old retail billionaire and retired founder Victoria’s Secret Former parent company L Brands has faced intense scrutiny for years over its personal and financial dealings with Epstein.

Decades ago, Wexner gave Epstein, a high school math teacher turned well-connected money manager, power of attorney over his finances. Wexner was long Epstein’s only publicly known client.

Wexner was not charged with any crime. After Epstein’s arrest on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and his death by suicide in prison a month later, Wexner said he was ashamed to have been “abused by someone so depraved.”

The Wexner Foundation did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on Wednesday’s statement. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Subpoena sent to Wexner and other Epstein associates received bipartisan support in January.

“The most important information for us is actually about money,” said Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee. he said on CNN Early on Wednesday.

“We know that Wexner was Jeffrey Epstein’s largest donor,” Garcia said. “When you think about Epstein’s wealth, whether it was the plane, the island, the amount of money he had, his houses, a lot of that came directly from Wexner.

“We’re not exactly sure why. It’s not clear,” he said. “When you talk to survivors, they will all share with you that Wexner was at the center of Epstein’s actions.”

This is developing news. Please check back for updates.