What’s next for Les Wexner’s subpoena from Congress over Epstein ties?

What’s next for Les Wexner’s subpoena from Congress over Epstein ties?What to know about the Epstein file releases so farUSA TODAY’s Bart Jansen breaks down what to know as Epstein case files are released and why some details may be misleading.The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has authorized subpoenas for local billionaire Les Wexner for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019.Wexner, the founder of L Brands, had longstanding ties to Epstein. He has said that he severed ties with the financier in 2007 following sex abuse allegations. Recently released emails show that Wexner sent Epstein an email in 2008.Wexner has asserted that he did not know about Epstein’s “illegal activity.”  The subpoena authorization comes amid heightened national attention on documents and former associates of Epstein, whose death in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 was ruled a suicide.Will Wexner testify publicly?Wexner will be subpoenaed for a deposition, which are not open to the public, according to a congressional webpage.In a deposition, committee members can get sworn witness testimony “in an efficient and confidential manner,” the webpage says. Depositions need to be transcribed, taken under oath and conducted by a member of Congress.The transcripts of depositions can later be released to the public, but it depends. If the leading Democrat and Republican on the committee can’t agree on whether or not to share the transcript publicly, then the entire committee would decide.How soon could Wexner go before Congress?The committee also approved subpoenas for the co-executors of Epstein’s estate. The subpoenas were approved Jan. 7, but they still need to be written up and signed by Chair James Comer, R-Kentucky, before they can be sent, according to NBC News. That document will usually include a proposed date for testimony.There is not a specific meeting related to Epstein on the committee’s calendar for 2026 as of Jan. 8.Could Congress hold Wexner in contempt of court?Wexner’s legal representative said that he “will cooperate fully with any governmental inquiry into Epstein, just as he did regarding the U.S. Attorney’s investigation into Epstein in which Mr. Wexner was told that he was neither a co-conspirator nor target in any respect.”If he does not comply, Congress has the power to hold people in criminal contempt for failing to comply with a valid congressional subpoena.Congress has held people in contempt of Congress in the past, such as Trump’s ally Steve Bannon. He was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to four months in jail and a $6,500 fine.More: When did Les Wexner meet Jeffrey Epstein? Key dates from the relationshipWho is on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform?This U.S. House Oversight committee currently consists of 47 members of Congress, which breaks down to 26 Republicans and 21 Democrats, according to the committee’s website.Three Ohioans are on the committee: Republicans Jim Jordan and Michael Turner and Democrat Shontel Brown.Anna Lynn Winfrey covers the northwestern suburbs for the Columbus Dispatch. She can be reached at awinfrey@dispatch.com.