Epstein’s Connection to Limited Brands and Les Wexner’s Business Empire
Jeffrey Epstein was never formally a board member of Limited Brands (later L Brands) or any of Les Wexner’s major corporate entities. However, through the extraordinary sweeping power of attorney granted in 1991, Epstein had de facto control over enormous amounts of Wexner’s personal financial assets, which included substantial shareholders in Limited Brands and its subsidiaries including Victoria’s Secret.
The Corporate Connection Is Personal, Not Formal
What Epstein did NOT hold:
- No board seat at Limited Brands or L Brands
- No formal executive title in any Wexner corporation
- No officially documented role in corporate governance
What Epstein DID hold:
- The 1991 power of attorney authorizing him to act on Wexner’s behalf in financial matters
- Management of Wexner’s personal wealth, including large stock holdings
- Effective control over the Wexner family office financial operations
- A position as trustee of multiple Wexner-connected foundations and trusts
This arrangement meant that through management of Wexner’s personal holdings, Epstein had indirect influence over resources connected to one of America’s largest retail empires — but through personal wealth management rather than corporate governance.
The New Albany, Ohio Base
Wexner built a significant compound in New Albany, Ohio, near Columbus — the headquarters of Limited Brands. Epstein was a frequent presence at New Albany, at Wexner’s Ohio properties, and at Wexner’s home environments.
New Albany was also the base from which Epstein participated in Wexner’s philanthropic and community initiatives in Columbus.
The Ohio Connection’s Significance
Ohio had its own documentary record of Epstein-Wexner interactions. When the 2019 arrest revived public interest, Ohio investigative media coverage examined the Wexner-Epstein relationship closely.
Wexner in September 2019 sent a letter to the Columbus Jewish Federation and the Wexner Foundation board stating he had ended his relationship with Epstein “more than a decade ago” after discovering Epstein had “misappropriated” funds.
Victoria’s Secret Specific Connection
The Victoria’s Secret and modeling agency dimension of the Epstein case connects indirectly through Wexner. Jean-Luc Brunel’s modeling operations and Epstein’s use of the “modeling scout” cover for recruitment had resonances with the VS modeling world that Wexner’s empire dominated.
There is no documented evidence that Wexner participated in or knew of Epstein’s trafficking activities.
Related: Les Wexner relationship; Victoria’s Secret connection; Wexner 1991 power of attorney; Wexner 2019 statement