A new podcast looks into Victoria's Secret's links to sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, who had close monetary ties with the brand's founder, Les Wexner.
Journalist and the podcast's co-host, Vanessa Grigoriadis, told the New York Post:
"I think … Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein's relationship was deep. And there are many people who believe that the bulk of Epstein's money — the money that Epstein used to buy all these extraordinary properties and create an image for himself that attracted all these wealthy men to his side, and also abuse all of these women and girls — most likely came from Les Wexner."
Epstein and Wexner had been co-owners of a $77 million property, a townhouse at the Upper East Side in New York. The property rights were transferred to Epstein's LLC in the Virgin Islands in 2011.
Manhattan prosecutors had accused Epstein of taking advantage of his ties with Victoria's Secret to have girls 'audition' for him. The so-called 'auditions' of girls would frequently lead to sexual abuse. Wexner has since admitted that Epstein was indeed taking advantage of their relationship and that he felt 'embarrassed' to have associated with Epstein.
Epstein died in in prison 2019. While his death appeared to be the result of suicide, many speculate that he was murdered so that he does expose several powerful people involved in his illegal practices.
Former features director at Glamour and co-host of Grigoriadis, Justine Harman, said:
"Being seen as one of the people with whom Les Wexner had confidence gave you an extraordinary amount of power there."
A former executive of Victoria's Secret, Cindy (who wished that her last name is not revealed), recalls being invited by Epstein to an exclusive party at Wexner's home.
She said on the podcast:
"There was something that just didn't seem right about it. I was, if you will, the hired help. And my boss [Wexner] is having an afterparty to which he didn't invite me? … I don't even know who this guy [Epstein] is, so I declined."
Cindy remembers another instance where Epstein called her on the phone, saying that he is making frequent visits to Columbus, Ohio - the brand's basis - and that he "could use some female companionship". A third time that Epstein approached Cindy was when he invited her to Aspen at another of Wexner's exclusive parties, but she said that she refused to go.
[Based on reposrting by: New York Post]
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