Casey Wasserman, the influential American sports and entertainment agent, has announced plans to sell his prominent talent agency following revelations of his past connections to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision comes after multiple high-profile clients severed ties with Wasserman Media Group this week.
The controversy erupted when court documents revealed Wasserman had flown on Epstein’s private aircraft and engaged in flirtatious email exchanges with Maxwell in 2003. While Wasserman maintains he had no substantial relationship with Epstein, the disclosures prompted immediate backlash across the entertainment industry.
In a memo to staff obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Wasserman acknowledged his past actions had become a distraction, stating: ‘I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously.’
The 51-year-old executive expressed particular regret over his communications with Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for facilitating Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors. Wasserman emphasized these exchanges occurred ‘over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.’
Notable departures from the agency include rising singer Chappell Roan, who announced on Instagram that ‘no artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.’ Former US soccer star Abby Wambach similarly terminated her representation, citing her need to ‘follow my gut and values.’
Despite the professional fallout, Wasserman will retain his position as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee. LA28 conducted an internal review concluding that Wasserman’s interaction with Epstein was limited to a single humanitarian flight to Africa in 2003, arranged through the Clinton Foundation. The board stated this occurred before ‘Wasserman or the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell’s deplorable crimes.’
No allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Wasserman by any of Epstein’s victims, and his appearance in court documents does not imply criminal activity.