The Power of Attorney
In 1991, Les Wexner — founder of Limited Brands and one of America’s wealthiest retail executives — granted Jeffrey Epstein a power of attorney that was described by legal experts as among the broadest they had ever seen. The document allowed Epstein to act on Wexner’s behalf in virtually every financial matter: signing contracts, managing investments, buying and selling real estate, and even hiring and firing employees. Former federal prosecutor and legal analysts who reviewed the document after its public disclosure called it “extraordinary” in scope.
Epstein used this authority to insert himself into virtually every layer of Wexner’s financial life. He became the de facto manager of Wexner’s personal wealth, overseeing everything from daily cash management to major asset transactions. He held this authority for roughly a decade, from the early 1990s until their relationship ended around 2007.
The $77 Million Townhouse Transfer
The most scrutinized transaction arising from the Epstein-Wexner financial relationship was the transfer of 9 East 71st Street, a nine-story Manhattan townhouse that had belonged to Wexner. In 1996, Epstein acquired the property — one of the largest private residences in New York City — for what records show was $0, or a nominal sum far below market value. By the mid-2000s, the property’s estimated value had risen to approximately $77 million.
Wexner has acknowledged that Epstein stole from him, though he has offered limited public elaboration. In 2019, after Epstein’s arrest, Wexner released a letter to his charitable foundation stating he had discovered Epstein had “misappropriated” funds but that he “severed” the relationship in 2007. The precise amount allegedly stolen has never been definitively established, though estimates in various legal filings range into the tens of millions of dollars.
Investment Management Role
Beyond real estate, Epstein claimed to manage money for Wexner and represented to other clients that he used investment strategies developed through that relationship. Epstein told prospective clients he would only work with billionaires, using the Wexner association as a credential. However, independent auditors who examined Epstein’s financial records after his 2019 arrest found scant evidence of the sophisticated trading strategies he described. Wexner’s own financial advisors have noted that they were largely kept away from Epstein’s specific activities.
The Break and Its Aftermath
The Epstein-Wexner relationship ended around 2007, coinciding with the Palm Beach police investigation into Epstein’s sexual abuse. Wexner has denied knowing the nature or extent of Epstein’s illegal activities. He resigned from the board of his own charitable foundation in 2019 after the reputational damage from the Epstein connection became severe. Ohio State University, which Wexner had supported generously, faced protests over any continued association.
Investigators from the Southern District of New York and civil plaintiffs have sought more details about the full scope of the financial relationship. Some questions — including whether Wexner was aware of how Epstein used his properties, aircraft, and staff — remained contested as of 2025.
Legal Proceedings
No criminal charges were brought against Wexner in connection with Epstein’s crimes. Several civil filings alleged that Wexner’s properties and infrastructure facilitated abuse, but those claims were generally settled without findings against Wexner personally. The full financial picture of the Epstein-Wexner relationship remains partially obscured by sealed records and private settlements.