Former Victoria's Secret boss testifies on Epstein ties, says he was 'naive'

WASHINGTON — Les Wexner, the former head of Victoria’s Secret, testified before a U.S. congressional committee Wednesday regarding his past relationship with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a prepared statement, Wexner maintained he did "nothing wrong" and has "nothing to hide." He described himself as "naive, foolish, and gullible" for trusting Epstein, whom he hired in 1991 to manage his personal wealth.

Wexner told lawmakers he severed all ties with Epstein nearly 20 years ago after learning of his misconduct. However, Democratic members of the committee met his testimony with heavy skepticism.

Rep. Robert Garcia called Wexner the most significant figure in "providing the financial support Jeffrey Epstein needed to commit his crimes." Rep. Dave Min labeled Wexner’s account of the relationship as "not credible."

The House Oversight Committee investigation has summoned several other high-profile figures. Ghislaine Maxwell and former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify next week.

The congressional inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's crimes appears to be broadening, with the Les Wexner hearing underscoring a deeper focus on the network of powerful individuals who allegedly facilitated his decades of misconduct, rather than solely Epstein himself. Subpoenas issued to high-profile figures such as Wexner and members of the Clinton family suggest an effort to illuminate how Epstein leveraged his elite connections to sustain his criminal enterprise.

Public skepticism from Democratic lawmakers regarding Wexner's testimony—specifically his claims of unawareness—mirrors a wider public doubt. Many observers question how a sophisticated businessman of Wexner's caliber could remain entirely oblivious to the true character of an individual managing significant portions of his wealth. The defense of being "duped" is increasingly seen as untenable.

The political dimensions of the case are also becoming increasingly apparent. Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer's hint that she might cooperate in exchange for a pardon from former President Trump signals the potential politicization of the case, positioning it as a leverage point in broader political discussions. Furthermore, the noticeable absence of Republican lawmakers at the Wexner hearing could foreshadow a deepening partisan divide in the investigative approach to the broader Epstein scandal.

While this development has become a major national news story and sparked widespread interest within the Vietnamese-American community, it has no direct or tangible impact on our diaspora’s specific interests. There are no repercussions for businesses in Little Saigon, the nail salon industry, or phở restaurants. Similarly, the situation does not affect remittances or social services, and there is no impact on immigration pathways such as F2B, H-1B, TPS, or EB-5 visa categories.