In 1991, one billionaire handed another man total control over his empire on just three pages.

Power of attorney. Unlimited access to sign checks, buy properties, borrow millions — all in the billionaire’s name.

The recipient? Jeffrey Epstein. A mysterious “financial adviser” with zero verified credentials and no other major clients.

A close friend pulled the billionaire aside: “I smell a rat. I don’t trust him.”

The warning was ignored.

Fast-forward: By the mid-1990s, Epstein suddenly owned a $56 million Manhattan mansion (once tied to the billionaire), a sprawling private island, and even a Boeing 727 private jet.

Yet public records show no clear trail of how he funded any of it.

Then came May 1996. A 26-year-old artist arrives at the billionaire’s vast Ohio estate to work on a project. One night, she tries to leave. Armed guards block her path. They say she needs permission from the billionaire’s wife.

She asks to call 911.

The answer: No.

That same night, Epstein allegedly assaulted her. She reported it to the FBI.

Years passed. Nothing happened.

This is the shadowy origin story of how Jeffrey Epstein built his fortune and evaded early accountability — all linked to one powerful name. The connections run deeper than anyone imagined, and the questions keep piling up.

In the late 1980s, Jeffrey Epstein, a former teacher turned self-styled financier, entered the orbit of Leslie H. Wexner, the billionaire founder of L Brands (formerly The Limited Inc.), which included Victoria’s Secret and other retail giants. What began as a professional relationship evolved into one of the most scrutinized financial arrangements in modern history, granting Epstein extraordinary control over Wexner’s vast wealth.

Epstein met Wexner through mutual acquaintances who recommended him as a knowledgeable financial professional. Wexner’s longtime adviser, Harold Levin, reportedly met Epstein once and warned his client: “I smell a rat. I don’t trust him.” Despite the caution, Wexner proceeded to elevate Epstein’s role. By the early 1990s, Epstein had taken over managing Wexner’s personal finances.

On July 30, 1991, Wexner executed a three-page power of attorney document appointing Jeffrey E. Epstein as his attorney-in-fact. The document, which has been publicly referenced in court filings and media reports, gave Epstein broad authority: to hire and fire personnel, sign tax returns, borrow money, buy and sell properties, and conduct virtually any financial or legal transaction on Wexner’s behalf. This level of control was unusual, even for high-net-worth individuals, as it allowed Epstein to act unilaterally in matters involving Wexner’s fortune, estimated in the billions.

Wexner later described the arrangement in a 2019 letter to his foundation as standard for financial management, noting that Epstein had “wide latitude” while Wexner focused on building his company and philanthropy. The power of attorney remained in effect until 2007, when Wexner revoked it amid emerging scrutiny of Epstein’s activities in Florida.

During this period, Epstein’s personal wealth appeared to grow dramatically. He acquired significant assets, including a 21,000-square-foot Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street (purchased by Wexner in 1989 and later transferred to Epstein-linked entities, reportedly for $0 in some records), a luxury estate in Ohio near Wexner’s New Albany properties, and access to private aviation. Epstein also obtained a Boeing 727, often dubbed the “Lolita Express” in later reporting. Public records and investigations have not produced a transparent accounting of how Epstein financed these purchases independently, leading to speculation that his relationship with Wexner provided the foundation for his lifestyle.

Wexner has maintained that Epstein misappropriated funds. In his 2019 letter, he stated that Epstein “had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family.” Prosecutors and media reports have referenced a 2008 settlement in which Epstein reportedly returned approximately $100 million to Wexner or related entities, including a $46 million donation to a foundation run by Wexner’s wife, Abigail, described as partial restitution. Wexner has not detailed the full scope of any alleged theft, and no criminal charges were filed against Epstein related to these financial matters.

The relationship extended beyond finance. Epstein became involved in Wexner’s real estate developments in New Albany, Ohio, a planned community Wexner helped create. Epstein owned properties there, including one purchased in 1992 for $3.5 million from a trust linked to Wexner associates. He also served as a trustee for aspects of Wexner’s philanthropic efforts, though without executive roles in the Wexner Foundation.

In May 1996, artist Maria Farmer, then 26, was commissioned to work on artworks and traveled to a guest home on or adjacent to Wexner’s extensive Ohio estate in New Albany. Farmer has alleged in affidavits, lawsuits, and media interviews that the property was heavily secured, with armed guards and requirements to obtain permission from Abigail Wexner to leave. She claims that one night, Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell sexually assaulted her at the location. When she attempted to depart, security personnel allegedly prevented her from doing so for hours, denying her request to call 911. Farmer reported the incident to the FBI shortly afterward, including claims related to Epstein’s possession of inappropriate materials involving minors.

No immediate action followed from federal authorities. Farmer’s 1996 complaint, later referenced in unsealed documents, included allegations of child pornography, but investigations did not advance at the time. Farmer has publicly held Wexner responsible, citing the property’s ownership and security ties to his family. Wexner has denied knowledge of Farmer or the alleged assault prior to media coverage.

The Epstein-Wexner association continued until 2007, when Wexner distanced himself following Epstein’s Florida investigation and eventual 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution. Wexner has repeatedly stated he severed ties upon learning of the charges and denied any awareness of Epstein’s criminal conduct.

Epstein’s death by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges renewed scrutiny of his financial origins. Court documents, including unsealed Epstein files, have mentioned Wexner multiple times, though he has not been charged with wrongdoing. Wexner has cooperated with some inquiries and faced calls for testimony in related civil matters.

The power of attorney, the rapid accumulation of assets, and the 1996 incident on Wexner-linked property remain focal points in understanding Epstein’s unchecked rise. While Wexner has portrayed himself as a victim of Epstein’s deception, questions persist about oversight, warnings ignored, and why early reports went unaddressed. The saga underscores the risks of unchecked financial authority and the opaque intersections of wealth, power, and accountability.