The Victoria’s Secret Connection
Les Wexner, founder of L Brands (parent of Victoria’s Secret), gave Jeffrey Epstein sweeping authority over his affairs including a broad power of attorney that lasted from 1991 to approximately 2007.
This relationship created an opportunity Epstein exploited systematically: using the Victoria’s Secret brand as a recruitment credibility mechanism.
The Recruitment Script
Multiple victim and witness accounts describe a consistent pattern where Epstein’s recruiters — and Epstein himself — would represent to potential victims:
- They were talent scouts for Victoria’s Secret
- Young women they recruited could be considered for VS modeling work
- Meeting with Epstein was a step toward VS modeling contracts
This claim was almost entirely false:
- Epstein held no official role at Victoria’s Secret
- He had no formal authority to recruit VS models
- The actual VS model casting processes did not involve Epstein
However, his genuine relationship with Wexner — and occasional social appearances with VS models — gave the story just enough surface plausibility to work.
How It Functioned
The Victoria’s Secret pretext was effective for several reasons:
- Aspiration: VS was the world’s most famous lingerie brand and VS Angels were cultural icons
- Credibility: Epstein’s wealth and his genuine connection to Wexner made the story plausible
- Social legitimacy: VS modeling was a legitimate, socially acceptable aspiration
- Vulnerability exploitation: Young women with modeling aspirations were especially susceptible
Victoria’s Secret’s Actual Knowledge
L Brands and Victoria’s Secret leadership:
- Deny any knowledge of Epstein using the brand for recruitment
- Have stated Wexner’s relationship with Epstein was financial management, not modeling
- Have noted that Wexner cut ties with Epstein approximately 2007-2008
Les Wexner has characterized his relationship with Epstein as one in which he was deceived and manipulated — Epstein as someone Wexner trusted who betrayed him.
The Wexner Transfer of Assets
The complex financial arrangement between Wexner and Epstein — including Epstein’s occupation of Wexner’s New York mansion — is the subject of ongoing scrutiny. The full extent of assets Epstein received from Wexner remains contested.