U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty said Friday she will donate campaign contributions from Ohio billionaire Leslie Wexner as he continues to be scrutinized by Congress for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Beatty, a Democrat from Columbus, said in a statement that Wexner must answer all questions under oath. He is scheduled for a deposition on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Ohio.
Beatty said if Wexner participated in or enabled Epstein's crimes, he must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
"I fully support the congressional investigation. As the facts are developed through the House Oversight Committee investigation, I will continue to stand with the survivors and their call for justice," Beatty said.
Beatty said she has donated campaign contributions she received from Wexner to local organizations that support survivors of sex trafficking and abuse. Beatty didn't specify how much money she donated.
According to the Federal Elections Commission, Beatty has received $61,100 from Wexner and his wife, Abigail, since Beatty joined Congress in 2013.
Wexner's most recent donation to Beatty was $3,500 in 2025. Beatty is running for reelection this year in Ohio's 3rd Congressional District, covering most of Franklin County.
Epstein managed Wexner's vast fortune since they met in the late 1980s. The convicted sex offender allegedly stole vast sums of Wexner's money until Wexner says the two cut ties in 2007.
Wexner is mentioned more than 1,000 times in the Epstein files, but congressional members recently pointed out his name was initially redacted on a file naming him as one of Epstein's co-conspirators in the FBI's sex trafficking investigation into Epstein.
Wexner hasn't been charged with a crime. Through legal representatives, Wexner has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing.
Wexner is the founder of L Brands and a megadonor to his alma mater Ohio State University. In addition to the congressional subpoena in the Epstein case, Wexner faces a deposition in a lawsuit against OSU by sexual abuse victims of former team doctor Richard Strauss.
Wexner also hired former Abercrombie and Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, who faces sex trafficking charges.
Beatty is not the only politician to receive money from the Wexners in Ohio over the last few decades. Other politicians who have received financial contributions from the Wexners include Congressman Mike Carey, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and former and current U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown, Rob Portman, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted.
Wexner's influence spans both the Republican and Democratic parties, and his contributions have also reached the city and county level, including political contributions to Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein and all three Franklin County commissioners.
Beatty said that throughout this matter, she has been consistent in her call for justice for the survivors. She said within the recently released documents are references to Les Wexner and his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein.
“My thoughts are with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking and abuse. Their courage in coming forward demands our commitment to truth, accountability, and justice," Beatty said.
