How did Jeffrey Epstein meet Leslie Wexner and gain his trust?
The relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Leslie Wexner stands as one of the most consequential and puzzling personal alliances in Epstein’s biography. It provided Epstein with the financial foundation for his extraordinary lifestyle and the social proof that elevated him in elite circles. How exactly Epstein came to hold such sway over one of America’s wealthiest men has been the subject of considerable investigation.
The Introduction
The most frequently cited account holds that Epstein was introduced to Wexner in the mid-1980s through Robert Meister, a senior executive at the insurance and financial firm Ace Greenberg’s circle at Bear Stearns, where Epstein had previously worked. Some accounts suggest the introduction came through Ohio-connected social networks given Wexner’s base in Columbus, Ohio.
Wexner, who had built the L Brands empire — the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and other retailers — was one of the wealthiest individuals in America by the time he met Epstein. Despite his business acumen, contemporaries described Wexner as somewhat socially awkward, highly private, and susceptible to strong personalities.
The Power of Attorney
By 1991, Wexner had granted Epstein a sweeping power of attorney that gave him authority over Wexner’s finances, real estate transactions, and personal decisions to an extent rarely seen in such arrangements. This document allowed Epstein to buy and sell property, manage investments, and act in Wexner’s name across a range of transactions.
Under this authority, Epstein acquired and managed properties on Wexner’s behalf, including the massive Manhattan townhouse on East 71st Street — which Wexner originally purchased and which Epstein later claimed as his own residence. Court documents suggested the townhouse may have been transferred to Epstein for $0 or a nominal sum.
Epstein’s Appeal to Wexner
Observers and journalists have speculated that Epstein appealed to Wexner through a combination of financial sophistication, social confidence, and psychological skill. Epstein presented himself as a financial genius who could protect and grow Wexner’s wealth while also serving as an adviser, gatekeeper, and social manager.
Some analysts have noted that Epstein appeared to position himself as a father figure or mentor to younger people while simultaneously positioning himself as a trusted expert to older, wealthier clients like Wexner — a pattern consistent with sophisticated social manipulation.
Wexner Distances Himself
Wexner eventually acknowledged publicly that Epstein had embezzled approximately $46 million from him and that he felt “betrayed” by a man he had trusted “with his life.” He severed ties with Epstein around 2007, though their close association for approximately two decades remained a focus of scrutiny during investigations into both men.