Billionaire's Lawyer Issues Vulgar Warning During Epstein Questioning
During a marathon five-hour deposition on Wednesday, billionaire Les Wexner's attorney grew increasingly frustrated with his client's verbose responses to questions about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Video footage released by the House Oversight Committee on Thursday captured the dramatic moment when lawyer Michael Levy leaned into Wexner's ear and delivered a shocking ultimatum.
"I Will F***ing Kill You" Warning Caught on Microphone
Despite whispering directly into his client's ear, microphones at the deposition clearly picked up Levy's explosive warning: "I will f***ing kill you if you answer another question with more than five words, ok?" The extraordinary exchange occurred at Wexner's Ohio estate, where the 88-year-old former CEO of Victoria's Secret parent company L Brands was being questioned about his extensive connections to the disgraced financier.
Throughout the lengthy session, Wexner consistently provided expansive answers that went far beyond what was asked. When questioned about his former chief of staff, the billionaire not only identified the individual but also detailed how they had originally met. This pattern of elaborate responses prompted Levy's mounting irritation, with the attorney repeatedly placing his hand on Wexner's arm to signal restraint.
Repeated Attempts to Curtail Lengthy Explanations
"Answer the question. It's gonna help if you answer the question that he asks. We'll all get out of here a lot faster," Levy told his client during one particularly extended response. Later, after Wexner launched into another detailed narrative, the attorney requested a brief pause from opposing counsel, stating, "Can I have one second? Because I think it will move this thing along a little faster."
Levy then leaned in again to whisper, "Stop telling stories, ok?" before pulling back and reiterating, "Just answer the question." When Wexner acknowledged, "I think I'm giving you a long answer," his lawyer immediately confirmed, "You are." The billionaire defended his approach, explaining, "Because if I just say yes or no, you won't understand it, and I really want this whole group to understand it."
Wexner's Relationship with Epstein Under Scrutiny
The deposition focused extensively on Wexner's longstanding business and personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, whose name appears over 1,000 times in the released documents. In 1991, Wexner granted Epstein power of attorney, enabling the financier to make investments and purchase property on his behalf. He also famously transferred his Manhattan townhouse—then the city's largest single-family residence—to Epstein for a nominal $1 fee during the 1990s.
Wexner contributed to Epstein's notorious 50th birthday book, writing, "Dear Jeffrey—I wanted to get you what you wanted. So here it is," alongside an image of a woman's breasts, followed by, "Happy Birthday. Your friend, Leslie." During a 2003 Vanity Fair interview, Wexner praised Epstein's "excellent judgment and unusually high standards," describing him as "always a most loyal friend."
Bidding War Between Trump and Epstein Revealed
Questioning turned to a previously undisclosed bidding war between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein over a property Wexner had previously owned. After Wexner sold the property to another individual, Trump and Epstein engaged in competitive bidding for it. When asked if he had any knowledge of this dispute between the two prominent figures, Wexner—finally heeding his lawyer's advice—responded with a simple, "No."
Following this concise answer, a brief silence ensued before Wexner smiled, glanced at Levy, nodded, and emitted a small chuckle. The billionaire maintained throughout the deposition that he had no knowledge of Epstein's sex trafficking crimes, characterizing himself as a victim of Epstein's deception.
Wexner Claims Victim Status in Epstein Relationship
In a written statement, Wexner declared, "I was naïve, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide." He described Epstein as having "carefully used his acquaintance with important individuals to curate an aura of legitimacy" and claimed he didn't circulate in Epstein's social circle, though he often heard accounts of the financier's interactions with other wealthy individuals.
Wexner admitted to visiting Epstein's infamous private island only once, stopping briefly one morning with his wife and young children during a boating excursion. The billionaire categorically denied any awareness of Epstein's criminal activities, maintaining his innocence while acknowledging his poor judgment in trusting the convicted sex offender.
