By Trendsetter Tribune 
The long-standing immunity of billionaire Les Wexner is facing its most significant test this week as the 88-year-old retail mogul is compelled to testify on two fronts regarding his past associations. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Wexner is scheduled to be deposed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding his extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Simultaneously, a federal judge has ordered him to sit for a deposition in a class-action lawsuit involving decades of sexual abuse by former Ohio State University (OSU) physician Richard Strauss.
As the founder of the L Brands empire (including Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch), Wexner’s influence has defined the skyline and economy of Central Ohio for decades. However, recent unredacted FBI files and survivors’ testimonies are forcing a reckoning at his alma mater and home city.
The Epstein Connection: “Co-Conspirator” Allegations
The upcoming congressional deposition follows a explosive revelation on February 10, 2026, when Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) read six previously redacted names from the Epstein files into the congressional record.
- The “Co-Conspirator” Label: Among the names was Wexner, whom the FBI reportedly identified as a “co-conspirator” in newly unredacted documents. Wexner’s legal team maintains that he was viewed as a “source of information” rather than a target, but the label has intensified calls for a full investigation into how Epstein used Wexner’s power of attorney to build his sex-trafficking network.
- The New Albany Legacy: The town of New Albany, essentially built by Wexner, has come under scrutiny following Maria Farmer’s 2025 lawsuit against the federal government. Farmer alleges she was held captive and assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at a residence on Wexner’s estate in 1996 while local law enforcement allegedly “terrorized” her into silence.
The OSU Strauss Scandal: Breaking the Silence
For years, Wexner’s private security reportedly evaded attempts to serve him with subpoenas related to the Richard Strauss abuse scandal. Strauss is accused of abusing at least 177 students while Wexner served as Vice Chair and Chair of the OSU Board of Trustees (1988–1997).
- The Judicial Order: On February 12, 2026, U.S. District Judge Michael Watson denied a motion to quash the subpoena, ruling that Wexner’s testimony is vital to determining if the board showed “deliberate indifference” to the abuse occurring under its watch.
- Political Fallout: On Monday, February 16, several Ohio lawmakers, including State Senator Jon Husted, began donating Wexner’s campaign contributions to charity in anticipation of the depositions.
The Push to “De-Wexner” Ohio State
A grassroots movement led by Survivors of OSU and state representatives is gaining momentum, calling for the total removal of Wexner’s name from the university’s infrastructure.
| Facility | Context |
| Wexner Medical Center | Wexner remains the Chair of the Board as of Feb 2026. |
| Woody Hayes Athletic Center | A formal request to remove Wexner’s name was denied by OSU in Jan 2026. |
| Wexner Center for the Arts | A landmark on the campus North Side; faces renewed protest. |
State Rep. Munira Abdullahi (D-Columbus) is scheduled to hold a press conference on February 24, 2026, formally demanding that the university sever ties with the billionaire. “The connection between Epstein and Wexner is undeniable,” Abdullahi stated. “It does not give a good look to OSU.”
President Trump and the Epstein Files
The controversy remains a political lightning rod as the 2026 midterms approach. While the Trump administration has been accused by Democrats of slow-walking the release of the final Epstein troves, the President has consistently maintained that he “cut ties” with Epstein in 2007. However, the discovery of photos featuring Wexner in the DOJ’s recent releases has kept the issue at the forefront of the national debate over elite accountability.