Husted sidesteps Epstein question

NORWALK — U.S. Sen. Jon Husted declined to answer a question Tuesday about campaign donations from billionaire Leslie Wexner and his vote on the release of Epstein-related files while at a campaign stop in Norwalk. The exchange occurred shortly after 2 p.m. at Sheri's Coffee House, where about 10 people had gathered for the public event. Husted was joined by Huron County Commissioners Harry Brady and Tom Dunlap, along with members of his security detail and campaign staff. A Reflector reporter asked Husted a question about campaign contributions Husted received from Wexner, an Ohio businessman recently named in files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and on Husted's initial vote against releasing files related to the Epstein investigation. According to a recent report in Forbes, Wexner, founder of the company that once owned Victoria's Secret, was named as a co-conspirator in a 2019 FBI document connected to the Epstein investigation. The article also states that an assistant U.S. attorney told Wexner's legal counsel that he was "neither a co-conspirator nor a target in any respect." The Forbes report notes Wexner's name appears more than 1,300 times in Department of Justice materials released this year. Wexner has publicly stated he was unaware of Epstein's criminal conduct and has described himself as having been deceived. Wexner, who is set to give a deposition to a U.S. House committee Wednesday, has not been charged with a crime and has said he ended his relationship with Epstein in 2008. After receiving the question, Husted turned his head and did not respond. He moved on to another topic. Several people present shouted at Husted, including one who asserted he was a "pedophile protector." There was no physical altercation and no one was removed from the coffee shop. Husted announces he's returning money Within less than 24 hours before and after Husted's Norwalk appearance, Ohio news organizations began reporting that the senator would return the money he received from Wexner. Newspapers and TV stations quoted Husted campaign director Tyson Shepard. "Senator Husted has directed the campaign to donate Wexner's money to charity," Shepard said in a statement to WBNS Columbus, attributed as having been received Monday afternoon. It wasn't clear when the statement was sent out and to whom it was sent, nor was it clear how much money would be donated or to which organization. Other Ohio outlets reported the news on Tuesday and no statement from Husted's office was received by the Register or Reflector either before or after the campaign stop in Norwalk. Husted joined a list of legislators who announced they would be giving away Wexner's money, including Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Carey and Democratic U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, WBNS reported. More topics discussed The exchange over campaign finance came after discussion about immigration enforcement, including recent actions involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota. Husted said ICE was removing "the worst of the worst." When asked whether recent ICE tactics in Minneapolis were warranted, Husted said local officials' lack of cooperation was to blame. "What happened in Minneapolis is ultimately the lack of cooperation with federal authorities," he said. When pressed about courthouse arrests involving individuals not currently in violation of their immigration status, Husted replied, "A visa isn't a right." The campaign stop continued, with Husted taking additional questions about transportation funding and other state matters. Husted and his team left shortly after.