Report: Jeffrey Epstein 'misappropriated' $46 million belonging to Les Wexner

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein misappropriated more than $46 million belonging to Les Wexner and his family, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal.

The CEO of L Brands wrote a letter to the Wexner Foundation Wednesday that states the missing money was discovered after Wexner cut ties with Epstein as his money manager in 2007, the paper reported.

"We discovered that he had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and family," Wexner wrote in the letter that the Wall Street Journal said it reviewed. "This was, frankly, a tremendous shock, even though it clearly pales in comparison to the unthinkable allegations against him now."

Wexner said in an email to employees last month that he severed his relationship with Epstein more than a decade ago, and Wexner didn't know anything about the allegations of sexual abuse of young girls that's led to a federal indictment against Epstein.

"I would not have continued to work with any individual capable of such egregious, sickening behavior as has been reported about him," Wexner told employees. "As you can imagine...I have searched my soul reflected and regretted that my path ever crossed his."

Epstein has pleaded not guilty to sex tracking charges and remained in federal custody. An attorney for Epstein couldn't be reached for comment on Wexner's statement about the missing funds, the paper said.

The Wall Street Journal reported a spokesperson for Wexner declined to comment on whether or not Wexner reported the money matters to authorities.

L Brands has hired an outside law firm to review any role Epstein had with the company.

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