Les Wexner, the billionaire with deep-rooted connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, continues to have his name prominently displayed across various establishments associated with Ohio State University. Despite Wexner’s denials of any wrongdoing regarding Epstein’s criminal activities, his past relationship with the financier has resurfaced amid ongoing legal and reputational challenges for both men.
Wexner, who was born in 1937 and grew up in Dayton, Ohio, played a significant role in Epstein’s rise within elite social circles by granting him power of attorney over his vast wealth in 1991. Critics argue that this arrangement enabled Epstein to cultivate relationships with powerful figures, furthering his notoriety. Recent document releases from the Department of Justice offer new insights into their connections, revealing at least half a dozen photographs of Wexner and suggesting he may have been named as a co-conspirator in FBI investigations.
The fallout from Epstein’s actions has started to impact Wexner’s standing at Ohio State University, where his name adorns the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Wexner Medical Center, and the Les Wexner Football Complex, among other spaces. As Wexner continues to serve on the board of the medical center, calls are growing for Ohio State to disassociate from him amid wider discussions around accountability and institutional abuses. This is compounded by a significant decrease in student enrollment at Ohio State, which poses fiscal challenges and places additional scrutiny on its relationships with major donors like Wexner.
In the community of New Albany, where Wexner has developed a lavish estate, both he and Epstein have left a lasting imprint. As reports of Epstein’s criminal activities unfold, allegations from victims like artist Maria Farmer recalling assaults at Wexner’s estate have emerged. Farmer’s complaints highlight failures within the FBI to investigate her claims sufficiently when she contacted them in the 1990s, revealing deeper issues of systemic negligence surrounding Epstein’s actions.
State officials and advocacy groups are pressing Ohio State University to reconsider Wexner’s naming rights, particularly in light of renewed investigations into his associations and Epstein’s influence. Efforts are underway to hold a press conference calling for the removal of Wexner’s name from university facilities, emphasizing the need for accountability in response to his connections with Epstein.
Despite the challenges, there are positive developments for Ohio State as it prepares to unveil a new state-of-the-art University Hospital facility. This new addition, along with ongoing efforts to address past wrongs, signals a commitment to moving forward, even as the cloud of controversy surrounding Wexner lingers.