A remarkable breach of decorum unfolded during congressional testimony this week when billionaire Leslie Wexner’s own attorney issued a profane threat to his client, unaware that a microphone was capturing every word.
The incident occurred during a deposition before the House Oversight Committee, where the 88-year-old retail magnate was answering questions about his decades-long association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney Michael Levy, apparently frustrated with his client’s lengthy responses, leaned close to Wexner’s ear and delivered an unmistakable warning.
“I will fucking kill you if you answer another question with more than five words, okay?” Levy said, according to video footage of the exchange. Wexner responded with a chuckle before his attorney added, “Answer the question.”
The outburst came after Wexner had been asked about the frequency of work Epstein performed on his behalf. Rather than providing a direct answer, the retired founder of L Brands launched into an extended explanation about his various possessions requiring inventory management, a task he claimed not to have understood the importance of until hiring Epstein.
This is not the first time Wexner has faced scrutiny over his relationship with the disgraced financier. For years, questions have persisted about the nature and extent of their professional and personal ties. Epstein managed Wexner’s financial affairs for an extended period and maintained unusual access to the billionaire’s properties and resources.
The matter carries particular gravity given the serious allegations that have emerged. Court documents reveal that Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent victims, has claimed that Wexner was among the men to whom Epstein trafficked her. Wexner has categorically and consistently denied these allegations, stating he had no knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities. He maintains that he never met Giuffre.
In previous statements to L Brands investors, Wexner has addressed his relationship with Epstein, though the full nature of their association remains a subject of public interest and ongoing investigation.
The hot microphone moment serves as an unusual window into the tensions that can arise during high-stakes congressional testimony, particularly when the subject matter involves allegations of this severity. It also underscores the challenges facing those called to answer for their connections to Epstein, whose network of powerful associates continues to generate questions years after his death in federal custody.
The House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Epstein’s activities and his relationships with prominent figures represents part of a broader effort to understand how the financier operated for years despite mounting evidence of his crimes. That such a moment of candid frustration would be captured on camera adds another layer to an already complex and troubling narrative.
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