Over the past several decades, multiple Ohio candidates for public office have received campaign donations from Columbus-based billionaire Leslie Wexner, an alleged co-conspirator, according to the FBI, of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ahead of Wexner's scheduled testimony before Congress, on February 18 in a deposition in Washington, D.C., former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown's campaign sent an email about Husted receiving campaign funds from Wexner.

This prompted us to look more closely at other Ohio politicians who received campaign donations from the Ohio businessman. 

21 News then reached out to the Ohio politicians who, in recent years, received Wexner donations to see whether they have concerns about receiving money from someone alleged to have had close connections to Epstein. As of the publishing of this story, we have not yet heard back from all of them.

The Federal Election Commission lists contributions as recent as 2025 to U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio), U.S. Representative Mike Carey (OH-15), and U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (OH-3). 

21 News has verified that Husted's campaign fund received $3,500 from Wexner in July of 2025; Beatty and Carey's campaign funds also received $3,500 each in 2025.

Husted's opponent Sherrod Brown alleges the Senator's campaigns accepted additional funds from Wexner over the years. 21 News has not yet independently verified these claims.

Other Ohio politicians that have, in recent years, received donations to their campaigns from Wexner, according to the FEC and the Ohio Secretary of State include: former U.S. Senator and current U.S. Representative Troy Balderson (OH-12); former U.S. Senator Matt Dolan; former U.S. Representative Steve Stivers; former U.S. Representative Anthony Gonzalez; former U.S. Representative Tim Ryan; former state representative Mark Fraizer; former U.S. Representative and current Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson.

Johnson told 21 News that the only thing he knows about Wexner is what he has seen in the news. The YSU President added that the political action committee associated with Wexner's company was one of over 2,500 donors to his campaign committee during his time in Congress.

"Everything Jeffrey Epstein did disgusts me and I would’ve been pleased to see him rot in prison for the rest of his life. Furthermore, anyone who broke the law as part of his web of evil ought to be charged and also go to prison," Johnson said. "Apparently, the political action committee representing employees of one of Mr. Wexner's companies was one of the more than 2,500 donors to my campaign committee years ago when I was in Congress. As one of Ohio’s U.S. Representatives for well over a decade, I fought for policies that ensured a stronger American military, more reliance on domestic energy sources, and less waste in the federal government. And I publicly encouraged everyone to donate if they wanted to see those policies advanced."

Husted released a statement to 21 News sidestepping the question about the money and instead voicing his support for the continued release of federal documents related to Epstein. 

"I supported this legislation and the release of these documents. As the DOJ implements the release of this information, the identities of the victims who have chosen to remain anonymous must continue to be protected. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Administration to ensure the release of DOJ materials is carried out pursuant to the law," Husted stated.

In November 2025, both congressional chambers approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was then signed into law by President Donald Trump, releasing all files from criminal investigations into Epstein. Most recently, the Department of Justice released 3.5 million additional pages on Epstein, in response to the act, although there are still several million pages unreleased in violation of that law, as well as many names of those alleged to be involved redacted. 

Wexner's name was initially redacted also, although it was made public after lawmakers pointed it out. 

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subpoenaed Wexner, and other "associates of Epstein," in January to testify about his relationship with Epstein — committee ranking member and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42) stated in a release following the subpoena that Wexner was part of Epstein's "inner circle." 

Epstein died in a New York prison cell in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Ohio is not the only state with politicians whose campaigns benefited from Wexner's donations. The billionaire donated funds to political campaigns across the country, including Montana, Missouri, Texas, Nevada, California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Iowa, Louisiana, and Virginia.

Wexner is the Founder, and former Chairman and CEO of Ohio-based "L Brands" which operates several retail companies including Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works.