[0:00]into that deposition. Uh we are on a break and we will be going back into the deposition for the rest of the afternoon. So to be very clear, uh we'll be providing an update now, but there
[0:10]are many many questions that we have uh to ask of Mr. Wexner uh that are important to our investigation. And so that questioning will happen uh
[0:20]throughout the day um as this day moves forward. Uh we're here because we want to talk to anyone that has information about Jeffrey Epstein and Galain
[0:30]Maxwell's crime, abuse, and trafficking of women and girls. There is no single person that was more involved in
[0:40]providing Jeffrey Epstein with the financial support to commit his crimes than Les Westerner. That is already, as we all know, in the public record. We've
[0:51]also directly heard from survivors about Mr. Wexner, about his involvement, and their concerns as to the enormous
[1:01]amount of money that was essentially transferred over and paid to by Mr. Epstein. To be very clear, we know of of
[1:11]approximately over a billion dollars. It looks like it's about a billion dollars that was either transferred, provided in
[1:19]stocks, or given directly to Mr. Epstein by Wexner. Now, it's important to note that Mr.
[1:29]Wexner appears to be unaware of much of the money, as he claims, that was given over to Mr. Epstein. In fact, it's interesting that Mr. Wexter has
[1:40]already begun to clarify in his mind that somehow he and Mr. Epste weren't even friends. We should be very clear that the two
[1:51]were very close per reporting. They spent a lot of time together. He uh Mr. Wexter admitted that he traveled to both Epstein's island as well as uh his other
[2:03]properties. Uh Mr. Wexter also admitted that Jeffrey Epstein uh had access to a lot of Mr. Wexer's wealth. And when
[2:13]asked even simple questions, even as it relates to Mr. Epste being the co-president of the foundation that established the
[2:22]area that we're in today, Mr. Rexer had little to say. In fact, it's clear that Mr. Mr. Wexter is trying to downplay how
[2:31]close Jeffrey Epstein and Mr. and Mr. Wexer actually were. And we should be very clear that there would be no Epstein Island. There would be no
[2:42]Epstein plane. There'd be no money to traffic women and girls. Mr. Epstein would not be the wealthy man he was
[2:52]without the support of Les Wexter. I think it's very important for us to note at this moment. There's a significant amount of questioning that has gone on, but I want to say one other thing and
[3:03]I'm going to turn it over. We are committed to ending this cover up. Right now, as we speak, over 50% of the Epstein files
[3:14]have not been released to the public and to the Congress. Donald Trump and Pam Bondi are leading a White House cover up to protect billionaire wealthy
[3:25]benefactors, whether it's Mr. for Wexner or whether it's anybody else. And that has to end now, which is why we're here and why we're willing to go anywhere and just
[3:35]speak to anyone with information about Jeffrey Epste's horrific crimes. And so we have a lot of questions for Mr. Wexter and we look forward to sharing those with all of you as well today. So with that, let me turn this over to
[3:45]Congressman Steve Lynch. >> Thank you, Robert. Thank you for your leadership. It's important to remember that uh all the evidence, the documentary
[3:56]evidence that we've received so far, much of it uh points to this this witness and Les Wexner's involvement. as as Robert has laid out, the financial
[4:08]wherewithal for for uh Epstein to to to operate in New York City, to operate in Florida, the Virgin Islands, the ability
[4:18]to to travel uh and in some cases his own credibility. There was a period there where Epstein was saying that he was closely involved with with Wet
[4:29]Wexner's operation uh several of his uh Victoria Secret that he was involved in that that process as well. So in a in a
[4:38]very real way uh Les Wexner gave Epstein credibility and gave him the ability to to commit some of the crimes
[4:48]that he did. one of the one of the uh witnesses, one of the victims, the survivors has has already indicated that that that she was assaulted at this
[4:57]facility at at at the mansion here uh Wexner's home here, that that she was refused uh permission to leave that
[5:06]house uh until security had had cleared that that she was kept there for for several hours. So,
[5:17]in an investigation, you usually follow the documents and you follow the money. And much of that evidence and and all of
[5:27]that money leads us uh to this location. uh during so far and and I'm just speaking generally uh
[5:36]the more this deposition goes on the less less Wexner knows about uh his
[5:43]relationship with with Jeffrey Epstein. There was a deep trust between these two men. There was a deep friendship there,
[5:54]not only in a business sense, but but Les Wexner gave Epstein the ability to handle his children's and his family's
[6:02]money. So, at least that part of it, that part of it uh makes it hard to
[6:10]believe Les Wexner's testimony thus far. It may be it may be a question as to whether Les Wexner
[6:21]was involved in the crimes directly, but there is no question I in my mind given the evidence so far
[6:30]that Les Wexner knew about this and failed to stop it and gave Epstein license and the ability
[6:40]to commit these crimes. And I'll yield. We've done something that the Department of Justice has failed to do. We have
[6:52]actually sat down and listened, not once, not twice, but on multiple occasions to the survivors. As you saw last week, AG Bondi wouldn't even turn
[7:03]and look at the survivors, let alone allow her DOJ to do their job, which is to investigate. So, here we are as the legislative branch doing our jobs and
[7:14]trying to do oversight. Let me tell you, the survivors have said over and over and over, follow the money. That was the one thing that they told us as well as
[7:24]their attorneys, follow the money. Well, we're following the money. But I'm going to be perfectly honest with you and tell you that we are running into dead ends at this moment. On yesterday, I was
[7:34]asked about this particular deposition and what I anticipated I would hear. As a trained attorney and litigator once they told me he wasn't taking the
[7:45]fifth, I thought that the record would be full of I don't remembers. I will tell you that once this record comes out, you will see that you most likely will be left with more questions than
[7:57]answers. It is almost inconceivable to be missing the amounts of money that are missing and somehow
[8:07]Mr. Wexner have no idea. The other thing that I want you to pay attention to because again as a trained litigator think about some of the themes that we
[8:17]keep hearing. We know that there were supposedly these fraudulent modeling agencies that were set up all over the country and girls would go in thinking that they were going to get their chance
[8:28]at modeling. Victoria's Secret, we know Victoria's Secret was known specifically for their fashion shows. We know that there are reports of girls that went in
[8:38]thinking that they were potentially going in to model. These are not coincidences. There's two things that have been clear is that there were always young girls
[8:49]seemingly looking for an opportunity to model and there were always rich and powerful people on the other side dangling a carrot saying I will give you
[9:01]the life that you're seeking. Yet ultimately the stories are the same. They're stories of abuse. They're stories of trafficking at the highest
[9:11]level. And I will tell you one thing that was remembered for sure was when asked about Donald Trump, Donald Trump and Epstein and whether or not they had
[9:22]been in the same room and what that looked like. He didn't quite remember, but he imagined that yes, that possibly happened because he did remember that Donald Trump also would like to show up
[9:34]to the Victoria Secret runway shows. Now, that was a little odd to him, he said, because Donald Trump was not engaged in fashion whatsoever.
[9:46]But he does recall that. He also said something that I feel like we've heard over and over and over, which is that Epstein liked to drop people's names.
[9:56]So, he'd imagine that that may have been one of the names that he dropped. Listen, I want the American people, but more specifically, I want the survivors and anyone who is struggling right now
[10:08]to know that we see you, we feel you, and we are fighting for you. We will not stop. If Mr. Wexner is honest about his intentions in helping us, then we're
[10:20]asking him if he doesn't remember, then go ahead and turn over all of your financial records because we need to follow the money because that is exactly what the survivors told us to do. And we
[10:32]know that the Department of Justice is either inadequate or just not interested in doing justice as it relates to this particular
[10:43]scenario. We in America deserve better. We are looking around the country and we're seeing CEOs that are having to leave their own companies. We're seeing
[10:54]people that are having to leave their board positions. We're seeing princes being dethroned. We're seeing all kinds of stuff everywhere except for right here
[11:05]at the highest levels of federal government. Whether we're talking about Donald Trump himself or whether we're talking about Secretary Lutnik and the list goes on, we deserve better in this
[11:16]country and we will get it. Good morning. Um, you know, over the course of the last year, the American public has been witnessing what I can
[11:28]only call the most egregious cover up in American history. And today was a critical part of our investigation to try to end this cover up once and for
[11:38]all. We have met with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, Galain Maxwell, and the rich and powerful people that helped to perpetuate these crimes. And we have
[11:48]heard over and over from these victims the name of Les Wexner and the importance of following the money. Because the story of Jeffrey Epstein is
[11:58]one that can almost, you know, almost is the plot of of a movie that um is turned into a nightmare. And the real reason
[12:09]Jeffrey Epstein was able to get away with raping and abusing children, young women, boys, young men for so many years
[12:18]was because of the vast amounts of money that he was able to acquire. and that largely came from Les Wexner here in Ohio. So, we're here to ask Les Wexner
[12:28]the critical questions and it's been very interesting to see the types of responses that he's giving and his demeanor throughout the interview. He claims to want to provide information
[12:39]and to be helpful in the investigation, but then quickly follows up by saying that he does not recall details around a relationship with somebody that he had
[12:50]for decades. Les Wexter handed his power of attorney to Jeffrey Epstein. He allowed Jeffrey Epstein to live in his homes to have hundreds of millions of
[13:01]his dollars to use his yachts and his planes. This was obviously a very very close relationship and so far what we have seen is a denial of that
[13:11]relationship. Another important theme that has come up today is that Les Wexner is actually tied to other sex traffic, sex trafficking and child abuse
[13:22]scandals here in Ohio around the country. There uh are reports of payments that were made to a gynecologist at Ohio State University
[13:32]and that money went through Jeffrey Epstein but came from Les Wexner. and he has been asked about this with no real
[13:41]response, no recollection. And again, as my colleagues have said, I don't think it is feasible or understandable or
[13:50]conceivable that any individual would not have an understanding of millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars of their own money and can't answer to those questions. So, it is clear that
[14:02]this cover up is vast. It goes as high as the White House and the Department of Justice that still has not released the majority of the Epstein files, still has
[14:12]illegally redacted information, still has not begun any indictments or prosecutions for the very credible allegations that are in the files that
[14:21]we already have seen all the way to people at universities, in companies, and vast networks of elite individuals across this country. And what I can tell
[14:31]you very clearly is that oversight Democrats on this committee will not back down until we get every detail
[14:41]until every person who enabled and perpetrated these crimes is held accountable. Thank you. >> Hi everyone. Dave Men, uh freshman
[14:52]member of Congress out of Orange County, California. And uh before getting into office, I was a law professor. I'm a graduate of Harvard Law School and earlier in my career, I was an SEC
[15:03]enforcement attorney. So, I've done quite a few of these types of depositions and witness interviews. And while I don't want to comment on an ongoing deposition, we're going to go back in there and ask more questions. I
[15:12]can basically say uh that he has basically alleged that he saw no evil, heard no evil, despite being in the room with Jeffrey Epste over and over and over, and it's really just not credible.
[15:23]I I realize he's an elderly gentleman. memories fade, but the reputation of Jeffrey Epstein is very clear. Uh, everyone around Jeffrey Epstein knew exactly what he's up to. Uh, and to
[15:34]spend that much time, to give that much trust to Jeffrey Epstein. And then to say I don't remember seeing any young girls. I I didn't hear anything about Jeffrey Epstein, uh, it it really is just not plausible. And so, we're going
[15:46]to keep digging, but I want to just echo the comments earlier. This is a bit frustrating uh because we're not getting real answers to the questions that American the American people deserve answers to. I also just want to give
[15:57]kudos to my colleagues behind me right here. Robert Garcia uh and the Democrats on the oversight committee have led the effort to try to expose this cover up. What we've seen is foot dragging. We've
[16:07]seen if you remember back to Pam Bondi saying that this was all a hoax and a cover up. Uh that there were there were no Epstein files. uh due to the efforts of of ranking member Garcia, we have been able to pierce that myth. We're
[16:19]getting more answers, but we've got a lot of work to do. A and we'll just add it is very frustrating the fact that there are no Republicans here today. I I wish there were Republicans because sex
[16:29]trafficking should not be a D versus R issue. It should be a bipartisan issue. Everybody should be invested in finding the truth right now. and the fact that we've had so little cooperation from the
[16:40]Republicans on the House Oversight Committee that the DOJ has actively tried to obstruct this investigation, uh, that is shameful and it will go down as a permanent mark on the records of
[16:50]people like Pam Bondi and Donald Trump. Now, I'll just close with this. When I got off the plane, I saw Wexner's name all over the place. His name is on buildings. It's on medical centers. And
[17:02]you immediately realize when you come to Columbus what a powerful individual this is. But I just want to say that no matter how rich or powerful you are, America stands for the principle that
[17:13]there's one rule of law that applies to anybody and everybody equally. And so whether Wexner is rich and powerful, whether Jeffrey Epste or Donald Trump or Howard Lucknik are rich and powerful,
[17:23]should not matter. We're going to get the answers. People will be brought to justice. We will not rest until that happens. Thanks. Thank you. And before I answer a couple questions, I want to let me add uh two things that are really
[17:34]important. One is um it is it's been clear to us at least the way Mr. Wexter has presented this uh that he according to him has not been or questioned was
[17:46]questioned by the FBI or the DOJ about Mr. Epstein. How outrageous is that? He's someone that's been named by
[17:57]survivors. Someone that's in the files more than most people. Someone that's clearly the financial benefactor
[18:06]to Jeffrey Epstein and has not been contacted or interviewed by the FBI or the DOJ. >> What the hell is going on?
[18:16]That is shameful. We should be ashamed as a government. The survivors deserve justice. And so that's something that we are going to
[18:26]continue to press today and certainly press with Pam Bondi and the DOJ. And the second thing, something that that that I think is is is critical to all of
[18:36]us. I think this community should also be asking questions. This community deserves to know why the most powerful man and one of the
[18:47]richest men, if not the richest man, in Ohio gave so much of his wealth to the largest modern sex trafficking ring in
[18:58]American history. Why his money was used to traffic, abuse, and rape women and children. And so I think this community
[19:09]has questions of Mr. Wexner. Ohio State should have questions of Mr. Wexner. And Mr. Wexner's involvement and
[19:20]our questions today is not the end of our questions for Mr. Wexner. It's the beginning of our questions for Mr. Wexter and anyone in this community
[19:29]across Ohio or the country that has done business dealings or that knows why he provided so much money for Jeffrey Epstein to then go on and commit all these horrible crimes. We can ask her a
[19:40]couple questions. >> Thank you Garcia. Thank you guys for doing this. A couple questions. First off, you mentioned in Leer's opening statement, he said that he did not have
[19:49]any knowledge of Jeffrey Epson's crimes. Do you believe he's lying given what you know about him and the evidence over second and Maxwell had sexually abused her at
[20:05]the estate and that the security guard wouldn't let her leave on that at all. What comes next in >> So let me start by saying that I personally I think I don't I do not
[20:17]believe when uh Mr. Wexter says that he did not have a personal relationship or a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epste and I think that is bogus personally.
[20:29]I and I think we I can also say that we believe the survivors and I think the the farmer testimony is critical and what happened to not just Maria but to
[20:41]Annie and the and and the farmer women was horrific. And this idea that she gave such a description of what happened to her and somehow we should just dismiss that as a
[20:51]lie or untrue I think is outrageous. There's no question in my mind that there was a relationship and that Mr. Wexure is very aware and likely where it what was going on. >> Repres
[21:03]there there have been questions that have been asked about the farmer incident and that will continue in the afternoon. Yes. >> Tom Bosco with the ABC here in Columbus. Can you give us a little more of the flavor of the questioning? Is he
[21:14]combative with questions. Is there a lot of conferring with attorneys before he answers? And you said he has not pleaded the fifth or the fifth amendment. >> He's not pleaded the fifth. I think that he's answering some questions. He's
[21:25]saying that he doesn't remember and other questions uh >> see no evil, hear no evil. >> Exactly. He's he's he's claiming that there's basically was no friendship with with Jeffrey Epstein or no real strong
[21:36]relationship, which we know by reporting that's just not true. >> It's pretty ridiculous. speaks to the lawyers specifically. There's a lot of objections. >> A lot of objections. Any other questions? Yeah.
[21:47]>> He admitted to visiting island. What do you know? What has he shared about his activities on the island and any? >> Yeah, I asked that question today. He
[21:58]claimed that he was on the island for one hour and that he walked around with his family and I asked him if any other individuals were there and he said no. And that was a a kind of a repetitive
[22:09]thing that he said as well when we asked about if he had been to another property. He said, "I was there for one hour and I go to many places for just one hour." >> And did he speak about any involvement
[22:20]with uh survivors even? >> He denied everything. >> Denied everything. And and quite frankly, it would have been nice to have seen more remorse. Yes. >> Uh Mr. Wexter is 88 years old. Um he
[22:31]he's also been missing Wexer Medical Center board meetings where he's sheriff. Can you describe his demeanor? How he is? He's an elderly gentleman. But >> do you want to add that? Pretty sure.
[22:41]>> Well, I think he's he's lucid. Uh I I I think he's certainly capable of answering these questions. There's no uh there's no deterioration in his mental
[22:50]faculties. So, he's a competent witness. Uh he's just not telling the truth. >> Will here in Ohio versus a hearing in
[23:00]DC. uh deposition locations are decided by the majority party and that was decided uh to have it here. >> Will this deposition even matter if Pam
[23:10]Bondi and the DOJ are not taking this as a main focus? >> Look, I think that we have my first answer is yes. This deposition absolutely does matter and it's
[23:20]important to get Remember Mr. Wexner is under oath to tell the truth. So every single answer that he gives is a broader part of our our investigation. This is
[23:30]just the beginning of our work with in trying to get the truth on Mr. Wexter and so that it absolutely matters. Any final questions? >> What happens when the DOJ doesn't do anything with it? >> Uh well that's that's up to the President Trump which we're we're
[23:42]putting the pressure on. Yes. >> You mentioned there's a credibility issue. How is that going to investigation? >> Anybody want to answer that credibility issue? Look I think I think at the end of the day we need to ask the questions
[23:53]and get Mr. Wexner on the record. That's the most important part right now is we have questions that are going to continue throughout the afternoon and get them on the record. Time for a couple more questions. We got to wrap up. >> If you feel you're not getting the
[24:03]answers today, what should we expect from you guys? >> I'm going to let you do that one. I was going to do other >> Yeah. I think what's what's next is we may have additional questions. We have more people to speak to. Folks that are
[24:15]involved with Mr. Wexner and that have done business with him, including the uh the the the doctor that we just discussed earlier that got transferred a significant amount of money. They can expect questions from us.
[24:25]>> Will you ask for the finance record? AB: >> Absolutely. We're asking for those. Jasmine, you want to answer the other part of the question? >> All right. >> Let me let go. Go ahead. >> Representative Garcia, when you said
[24:36]there are no Republicans here, you didn't just meet at this press conference. There are no >> No, no. There are no Republican members of Congress >> at this, >> right? There are Republican there are Republican staff members. No Republican members of Congress chose to come. We'll
[24:48]take one final question. Uh was named as a possible co-conspirator in a lot of the documents. Anything you've seen today makes you think he might not be or could be?
[24:58]>> There's nothing I've heard that that No, I think I think that is a very open question and I think um I think that's a that's part of the investigation is
[25:06]going to continue. Thanks everybody. >> Uh we this is for now. We got to go back. Thank you. >> Will it be done today? You'll be done with
[25:16]>> Thank you so much. Hey.