Casey Wasserman, a renowned talent mogul and current chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, has announced plans to sell his agency following the revelation of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over his past connections.
In a memo distributed to his staff on Friday, Wasserman acknowledged that his previous association with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s known accomplice, had become a distraction. The Los Angeles Times reported on these developments, shedding light on the impact of these associations on Wasserman’s professional life.
With the decision to sell the agency, longtime executive Mike Watts is set to manage daily operations, allowing Wasserman to concentrate on finalizing the sale. This transition aims to ensure stability within the agency during this tumultuous period.
The controversy arose when flirtatious emails between Wasserman and Maxwell surfaced, leading several high-profile clients to reconsider their representation. This development has undoubtedly added pressure on Wasserman to act quickly and decisively.
In a heartfelt message to his employees, Wasserman expressed his remorse, saying he was “heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.” His apology, reported by the Wall Street Journal, highlighted his regret over the discomfort caused by his past personal mistakes.
‘I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort,’ Wasserman wrote to his staff in a memo obtained by the Wall Street Journal.
‘It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.’
Wasserman has claimed to ‘never have had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.’
Casey Wasserman announced to staff on Friday that he would be selling his sports and music talent company
The Daily Mail previously obtained an undated photograph of Wasserman in front of a plane with Epstein and Maxwell
The business mogul said his only contact with the convicted sex offender was during a humanitarian trip with the Clinton Foundation in 2002.
The 51-year-old emailed Maxwell after the trip when he was less than two years into his marriage with his then-wife, Laura Ziffren.
Maxwell signed off many of her messages to him with ‘Kisses’, and he with ‘xoxo’, the emails released by the DOJ revealed.
‘I thought we would start at that place that you know of, and then continue the massage concept into your bed … and then again in the morning … not sure if or when we would stop,’ he wrote in one of the emails.
Maxwell, 64, answered two days later.
‘Umm — all that rubbing — are you sure you can take it? The thought frankly is leaving me a little breathless,’ she said.
‘There are a few spots that apparently drive a man wild – I suppose I could practice them on you and you could let me know if they work or not?’
Wasserman is a major figure in Hollywood as a top music and movie agency chief
Maxwell is behind bars for grooming, trafficking and abusing minors with Jeffrey Epstein
Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Wasserman apologized in early February when the emails were first revealed.
‘I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,’ he said.
Over almost 25 years, he built one of the largest talent companies in the country through a series of acquisitions.
It currently has approximately 4,000 employees.
He is the son of talent agent Lew Wasserman, who represented President Ronal Raegan. His company, MCA, eventually acquired Universal Pictures.
After the salacious emails came to light, several high-profile clients detached themselves from the company, which Wasserman started in 2003.
Chappell Roan, who was represented by Wasserman, announced her departure from the agency
Pop singer Chappell Roan announced on February 9 that she would be parting ways with Wasserman.
‘I hold my teams to the highest standards and have a duty to protect them as well,’ she said, in part.
‘No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict deeply with our own moral values.’
US Women’s Soccer star Abby Wambach posted on February 11 about her decision to leave the agency.
‘I have left the Wasserman Agency,’ she wrote.
‘I read Casey Wasserman’s correspondence in the Epstein files. I know what I know, and I am following my gut and my values.’
US Soccer star Abby Wambach announced on February 11 that she would no longer be represented by Wasserman
The LA 2028 Olympics announced Wasserman would continue to serve as chairman
Despite the controversy, the LA 2028 Olympics have announced that Wasserman will remain the event’s chairman.
‘We found Mr. Wasserman’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented,’ they wrote, in part.
‘The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games.’
The Daily Mail contacted Wasserman for comment.
