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Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained

Wexner is set to testify as pressure mounts over the Epstein files.

Politics & Policy

Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a> as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He&#x27;s Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="richest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" target="_self">richest</a> person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

Some Columbus fans say rising costs are changing how often they can attend matches.

News

Since moving to a new Arena District home in 2021, the Crew has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built momentum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-vars-content-id="299f6024-2780-40b8-802b-421bd9e73bd0" data-vars-headline="Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">built momentum</a> on packed crowds and good atmosphere — but is it waning?Why it matters: Some fans say they&#x27;re being priced out, while others worry costs are stalling that momentum.

Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep

Zach Werenski and Laila Edwards delivered key assists.

Both U.S. hockey teams brought home the gold from Milan with dramatic 2-1 overtime wins over Canada — and that&#x27;s thanks to some big assists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" data-vars-content-id="3397ff2b-510e-4654-92fb-618d7976bf44" data-vars-headline="Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" target="_self">from Ohio</a>.Why it matters: The men&#x27;s victory ended a 46-year drought, their first gold since the 1980 &quot;Miracle on Ice.&quot;

Poll: Should Les Wexner's name stay on buildings?

Scrutiny is growing over the donor's Jeffrey Epstein ties.

Ohio State&#x27;s new University Hospital welcomed its first patients over the weekend as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 100 protesters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" target="_blank">over 100 protesters</a> demanded that Les Wexner&#x27;s name be removed from it.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" target="_blank">debate</a> over the billionaire donor&#x27;s naming rights likely isn&#x27;t going anywhere, amid renewed scrutiny over his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ties to Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" target="_self">ties to Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

A quick roundup of Central Ohio election results

Columbus voters OK'd bonds, tax levies and 4 endorsed Democrats.

Here&#x27;s a smart, fast recap of what you need to know regarding Tuesday&#x27;s local elections, according to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Columbus voters approve bond issues, elect Ross

The District 7 race between Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel was decided by a narrow margin.

Columbus voters approved nearly $2 billion in bond issues and named new city council and school board members, per unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Voters will decide Ginther's $1.9 billion bond plan

Five bond issues could fund housing, parks, safety and more — without raising taxes.

Ballots in Columbus are dominated by a quintet of bond issues that could shape the city&#x27;s future.Why it matters: The Nov. 4 election will decide five substantial issues totaling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.9 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/22/ohio-bond-package-november-ballot-housing-investment" data-vars-content-id="faf5e2ca-fa08-46b3-a426-36743b1d8db7" data-vars-headline="Voters will decide Ginther&#x27;s $1.9 billion bond plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/22/ohio-bond-package-november-ballot-housing-investment" target="_self">$1.9 billion</a> that will fund projects related to development, utilities, city services and infrastructure.

Voter guide 2025: What's on the ballot in Columbus

Election Day is Nov. 4. Brush up on council races, bond issues, a zoo levy and more.

With a week left until Election Day, we&#x27;re diving deeper into the Nov. 4 ballot — plus how to vote early.

Insider vs. outsider in City Council District 7 race

Jesse Vogel and Tiara Ross offer sharply different visions for Columbus.

Columbus voters will have a rare choice at the ballot box next week: a one-on-one showdown for a vacant city council seat.Why it matters: The City Council District 7 race has become a broader referendum about our local politics, pitting a council-endorsed city prosecutor against an immigration attorney with criticisms of the insider nature of Columbus leadership.

Scoop: Ramaswamy raised over $8.5M in campaign for governor

It's a massive haul this early in the election cycle.

Election

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has raised over $8.5 million since February toward his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-bid-launch" data-vars-content-id="18c0ea72-ac13-4072-b324-eaf64f23a839" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ramaswamy raised over $8.5M in campaign for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-bid-launch" target="_self">campaign for governor</a>, Axios has learned.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a massive haul this early in the election cycle, with the primary nearly a full year away.

AG Yost drops out of governor's race

The decision makes fellow Republican Vivek Ramaswamy the favorite to win the party nomination.

Attorney General Dave Yost is dropping out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" data-vars-content-id="aee1a09c-723c-4026-bad5-9e098a69e051" data-vars-headline="AG Yost drops out of governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" target="_self">the governor&#x27;s race</a> a week after failing to secure the state party&#x27;s endorsement, per an email sent Friday to supporters.Why it matters: The decision makes Upper Arlington entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy the clear favorite to win the GOP primary, which is still nearly a year away.

Why Ohio voters face so many tax levies

Ohio laws force communities to seek new property tax levies often — leading to voter fatigue.

Tuesday&#x27;s primary may feel like déjà vu for some local voters: three tax issues rejected in November are back on the ballot.Why it matters: These repeat requests risk causing &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="levy fatigue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ideastream.org/education/2024-05-13/tired-of-being-asked-to-approve-ohio-school-levies-blame-state-law-some-say" data-vars-content-id="d16511de-818d-47d1-bb26-c325af7acf10" data-vars-headline="Why Ohio voters face so many tax levies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ideastream.org/education/2024-05-13/tired-of-being-asked-to-approve-ohio-school-levies-blame-state-law-some-say" target="_blank">levy fatigue</a>&quot; among frustrated homeowners. But communities typically don&#x27;t have another option to keep funding essential operations, due to the complexities of Ohio&#x27;s tax laws.

Your guide to the May 6 primary candidates

Three local races have more candidates and buzz than usual.

Politics

Local primaries during an off year are historically sleepy affairs, but the May 6 election is bucking that trend.Why it matters: Voters will elect candidates to Columbus&#x27; two most significant governing bodies: City Council and the Board of Education. Both nonpartisan races are marked by drama and unusual circumstances.

Explaining Ohio Issue 2, a $2.5B infrastructure program

Voters across the state will decide the issue on May 6.

Local voters will consider several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="issues and candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-may-2025-primary-election-ballot-levies" data-vars-content-id="7210e918-e0e6-47a5-a29a-9957457429e5" data-vars-headline="Explaining Ohio Issue 2, a $2.5B infrastructure program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-may-2025-primary-election-ballot-levies" target="_self">issues and candidates</a> in the May 6 primary, but there&#x27;s also one item that will be put before every Ohio voter: State Issue 2.Why it matters: If approved, it will authorize the state to allocate $2.5 billion over 10 years to fund public infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, sewers and water lines.

Election 🗳️

A quick roundup of Central Ohio election results

Columbus voters approve bond issues, elect Ross

Ohio passes new congressional map ahead of 2026 election

Voters will decide Ginther's $1.9 billion bond plan

Voter guide 2025: What's on the ballot in Columbus