SEOBLOGREEN - The news came like a thunderclap. Suddenly, the money felt dirty. Ohio lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, moved fast. They wanted to cleanse their campaign accounts. The source of the discomfort? Leslie "Les" Wexner. The billionaire founder of L Brands. The man linked for decades to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Wexner is scheduled to give a deposition. It is before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The subject is clear: the Epstein investigation. This impending testimony pushed many politicians over the edge. They had to act. The political donation was now a liability. It carried a heavy shadow.
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The Great Campaign Contribution Cleansing
The decisions were public. They were swift. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin stepped forward. His statement was direct. He had received a check for \$10,000 last year. It was unsolicited. It made him "uncomfortable."
Hardin already donated that initial sum to the Columbus Promise. He went further. He donated another \$10,000 he had received over the years. His words focused on the victims. "Jeffrey Epstein's heinous crimes robbed young women and girls of their future," Hardin wrote. "Maybe this money, in honor of victims and survivors, can help other young people build their futures." This is the core of the human story. It is not just about money. It is about a moral reckoning.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Democrat, also made her move. She represents Ohio's 3rd District. Beatty announced she would donate contributions from Wexner to local organizations. These groups support survivors of sex trafficking and abuse. She stated Wexner must answer all questions under oath. If he enabled Epstein's crimes, he must be held accountable. Beatty's campaign had received a significant amount from the Wexners since 2013. The total was \$61,100. The last check was only in 2025.
The feeling of "uncomfortable" is infectious. It spreads across party lines.
The Swift Hand of Self-Preservation
Republican lawmakers joined the chorus. The pressure was mounting. Recent disclosures about Epstein's files put Wexner's name front and center. Representative Mike Carey, a Republican, confirmed his action. He is from Ohio's 15th District. State Senator Michele Reynolds also announced her decision. She is a Republican from Canal Winchester. Their collective announcement on social media signaled a unified political stance. The link to Wexner was too toxic to maintain.
Wexner was Epstein's former financial manager. This decades-old relationship is the problem. It allowed Epstein access to vast wealth and influence. Wexner has always denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct. He said he severed ties with him years ago. His legal team maintains he was viewed as a "source of information" and not a "target" in the 2019 investigation. But the recent unredacted files complicate this narrative. Congress wants answers.
The deposition is set for Wednesday. It was moved to Ohio from Washington D.C. This is a sign of high-level accommodation. A congressional deposition is not a criminal trial. It is a closed-door hearing. But the implications are huge. Congress seeks information. They want to get to the bottom of the situation. The public scrutiny is relentless.
The politicians' move is a firewall. A financial and ethical firewall. They are trying to separate their names from the impending scandal. They are shifting the money from political campaigns to charitable causes. The money, once a tool for power, becomes a gesture of apology. A nod to justice.
It's a simple transfer. From the campaign fund to a charity. But the action speaks volumes. It says: "We believe the survivors." It says: "This association is unacceptable."
It is a difficult situation for anyone in public office. They received contributions in good faith, perhaps. But the context changed. The moral hazard grew too large. Now, the money goes to help young people. It goes to support victims. This is a better use. A cleaner outcome.
Not everyone has made a public move. Some Ohio politicians have remained quiet. Senator Bernie Moreno, for example, reportedly will not return the funds. He claimed the donation was unsolicited. This shows the divide. Some see an unsolicited donation as a clean transaction. Others see the giver as the issue. In this case, the giver's association is the problem.
The money will now empower youth leaders. It will help families facing food insecurity. These are the stated charities. A dark cloud of political scandal delivers a silver lining for local communities.
This story is a modern lesson in politics. The personal ties of major donors can quickly become a political crisis. Lawmakers are judged not just by their votes, but by their donors. When a donor's shadow grows too long, politicians must run to the light. They must make a clean break. The Ohio politicians have chosen their path. The clock is ticking toward Wexner's deposition. The spotlight remains fixed on Ohio.
Source: 10tv.com
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