Fending off accusations that direct ties exist between the Victoria’s Secret Clothing Company and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an L Brands spokesperson had spoken with CBS Money Watch and confirmed that the company board of directors hired an independent law firm to research whether Epstein played a role in the company which is based in Columbus, Ohio.
Edited by: JV Staff
It has been previously reported that L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner (who owns Victoria’s Secret) had both a personal friendship and a professional financial relationship with Epstein for decades. The emergence of this news has caused Victoria’s Secret stock to tumble in price for the last few weeks.
According to a CBS news report, Epstein served as Wexner’s personal money manager and business adviser. For Wexner’s part, he said that about 12 years ago, he terminated the friendship and business arrangement that he had with Epstein.
Epstein’s recent arrest for sex trafficking of girls has raised the question of whether Epstein also ever had a role officially or unofficially at Wexner’s retail company, according to the CBS news report. The Wall Street Journal reported that former employees have said Epstein was a part of corporate discussions, including giving input on what women should become Victoria’s Secret models.
In a related development, NBC News reported that Epstein was found injured and in a fetal position inside his cell at Manhattan Correctional Center late on Tuesday, according to sources close to the investigation.
Epstein, who is being held in the lower Manhattan jail as he awaits his trial for conspiracy and sex trafficking, was found semi-conscious with marks on his neck, two sources told News 4. Investigators are trying to piece together exactly what happened, saying details remain murky.
Two sources told News 4 that Epstein may have tried to hang himself, while a third source cautioned that the injuries were not serious and questioned if Epstein might be using it as a way to get a transfer.
On Thursday, a senior official reiterated that all three theories — attempted suicide, try for transfer and attack by inmate — are still in play.
Epstein’s cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione was questioned by investigators, according to two sources close to the case.
According to the NBC News report, Tartaglione is a former police officer in Westchester County who was arrested in December 2016 and accused of killing four men in an alleged cocaine distribution conspiracy, then burying their bodies in his yard in Otisville in Orange County, according to court records.
In yet another related development, it was reported on Thursday by the NY Post that the Florida lawmaker who urged Gov. Ron DeSantis launch a investigation into Epstein’s 2008 jail stint that had been marked by unusual privileges says she’s been getting threats. warning her to back off.
The Miami Herald reported that State Sen. Lauren Book has reached out to Capitol Police after receiving more than a dozen calls from menacing supporters of Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who handled Epstein’s lenient “work release” program.
“I’ve received countless phone calls saying ‘Little girl you don’t know what you’re getting into’ and telling me that I should just stop,’’ Book said, according to the NY Post report.
In a statement, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said it didn’t know of anyone trying to threaten or pressure Book.
