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Wexner / L Brands Network

Les Wexner's Columbus, Ohio business empire — the source of Jeffrey Epstein's initial wealth and power, with a pattern of violent deaths among connected individuals.

FieldDetails
TypeBusiness Network / Financial Enabler
Active Period~1985–2007 (Epstein relationship)
Location(s)Columbus, Ohio; New York City
StatusWexner alive; severed ties with Epstein ~2007
Alleged ConnectionWexner gave Epstein power of attorney, his NYC mansion, and access to extraordinary wealth; Columbus associates died violently

Overview​

Les Wexner, the billionaire founder of L Brands (Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, The Limited), was Jeffrey Epstein's most important financial patron. Wexner gave Epstein unprecedented power of attorney over his finances, gifted him the largest private residence in Manhattan (a $77 million townhouse), and provided the wealth and legitimacy that enabled Epstein's rise. The relationship began in approximately 1985–1987 and continued until approximately 2007.

The Columbus, Ohio network connected to Wexner also produced a striking pattern of violent deaths spanning from 1970 to 1991, all connected through businessman Berry L. Kessler.

Alleged Activities​

  • Wexner granted Epstein sweeping power of attorney over his finances, an arrangement that financial experts have called "unprecedented" and "bizarre"
  • Wexner transferred his 21,000-square-foot Manhattan townhouse (9 East 71st Street) to Epstein — reportedly for $0
  • The townhouse became the primary location of Epstein's abuse of underage girls
  • Wexner's Victoria's Secret brand was allegedly used as a recruitment tool — Epstein reportedly posed as a Victoria's Secret talent scout to lure young women
  • Epstein allegedly defrauded Wexner of $46 million, which Wexner claimed to have discovered only after an audit
  • The Columbus network produced at least five violent deaths connected through Berry Kessler

Key Figures​

  • Les Wexner — Billionaire L Brands founder; Epstein's primary financial backer; claimed to have been "deceived" by Epstein
  • Jeffrey Epstein — Took over managing Wexner's finances after Arthur Shapiro's murder
  • Arthur Shapiro — Wexner's previous financial manager; gunned down 1985; Epstein took his position
  • Berry L. Kessler — Columbus businessman; prime suspect in Shapiro murder; convicted in other murder-for-hire; FBI documents link him to Epstein; died in prison 2005
  • Frank Yassenoff — Kessler's Columbus business partner; shot to death 1970 along with his fiancee
  • Ella Rich — Yassenoff's fiancee; killed alongside him 1970
  • Marjorie Dyer — Co-signed Yassenoff's will with Kessler; died in car accident ~1970s
  • John Deroo — Kessler's partner; shot six times in face 1991; Kessler convicted of the murder

The Columbus Death Pattern (1970–1991)​

The cluster of violent deaths in Columbus connected to Berry Kessler and the Wexner financial orbit is one of the most striking patterns in this investigation:

  1. 1970 — Frank Yassenoff and Ella Rich shot to death (unsolved)
  2. ~1970s — Marjorie Dyer killed in car accident (suspicious timing)
  3. 1985 — Arthur Shapiro gunned down weeks before IRS questioning (unsolved); Epstein takes his position
  4. 1991 — John Deroo shot six times in face (Kessler convicted)

Connection to Epstein Network​

The Wexner connection is foundational to the Epstein operation:

  • Without Wexner's money and Manhattan townhouse, Epstein could not have built his network
  • The Victoria's Secret brand provided both a recruiting tool and a veneer of legitimacy
  • Epstein's takeover of Shapiro's role — after Shapiro's murder — raises questions about whether the killing was connected to Epstein's rise
  • FBI documents reference a possible link between Kessler (Shapiro murder suspect) and Epstein

Connection to Other Groups​

  • Jeffrey Epstein Network — Wexner was the financial foundation of Epstein's power
  • CIA — Southern Air Transport (CIA-owned 1960–1973) relocated to Columbus, Ohio and shipped Wexner's L Brands products
  • Mossad — Mega Group (co-founded by Wexner) alleged to have Mossad connections
  • Deutsche Bank — Epstein's bank after JPMorgan; financial nexus
  • JPMorgan Chase — Epstein's bank before Deutsche Bank

Notable Books and Investigations​

  • Filthy Rich — James Patterson (2016) — Covers the Wexner-Epstein financial relationship
  • One Nation Under Blackmail — Whitney Webb (2022) — Deep dive into Wexner-Epstein connections
  • The Daily Beast investigation: "Who Murdered Arthur Shapiro?"
  • Unlimited Hangout investigation: "A Kingpin, the Mob, and a Murder"

Why This Group Matters​

  • Wexner's wealth was the foundation of Epstein's power
  • The Columbus death pattern suggests a network of violence predating and enabling Epstein's rise
  • Wexner's claim of being "deceived" by Epstein has been widely questioned given the extraordinary financial control he granted
  • The Victoria's Secret connection demonstrates how legitimate brands can be exploited as tools in trafficking operations

See Also​

  • Jeffrey Epstein Network — Wexner's wealth was the financial foundation of Epstein's power
  • CIA — Southern Air Transport (CIA-owned) relocated to Wexner's Columbus base
  • Mossad — Mega Group co-founded by Wexner alleged to have Mossad connections
  • Deutsche Bank — Epstein's bank after JPMorgan; financial nexus
  • Arthur Shapiro — Wexner's financial manager gunned down 1985; Epstein took his position

Sources​

This information was built by Grok and Claude AI research.

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