Casey Wasserman’s Divestment Amid Controversy
In a significant turn of events, Casey Wasserman, the chairman tasked with overseeing the Los Angeles Olympics set for 2028, is taking steps to divest from his talent agency, Wasserman, amid the fallout from recently disclosed emails between himself and Ghislaine Maxwell. These emails were disclosed following governmental investigations related to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the serious implications of the connections revealed, Wasserman has not been accused of any illegal actions.
Details of the Emails
The troubling emails, which date back to 2003, show Wasserman engaging in flirtatious exchanges with Maxwell, who is infamously linked to Epstein’s criminal activities that involved the grooming and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. In a communication addressed to his employees on a Friday evening, Wasserman announced his intention to sell the agency, citing concerns that his situation had morphed into a distraction for the company.
“During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city,”
the memo emphasized. This announcement closely followed a meeting of the LA28 board’s executive committee, which had convened to address Wasserman’s associations outlined in the Epstein-related documents. Following a thorough review, including the involvement of an external legal entity, the committee released a statement asserting that Wasserman’s connections with Epstein and Maxwell were consistent with what was already known publicly and recommended he continue leading the direction of LA28.
Wasserman’s Past Interactions
Wasserman has previously mentioned that his interaction with Epstein came during a humanitarian visit to Africa, attributed to an invitation from the Clinton Foundation in 2002. The exchanges between himself and Maxwell included notably inappropriate commentary, which included comments regarding her attire.
Impact on Wasserman’s Agency
The fallout from these revelations has negatively impacted Wasserman’s agency, which is well-regarded for representing leading figures in the music industry; notable clients like singer Chappell Roan and soccer star Abby Wambach have distanced themselves from the agency in response to the emails. In his memo, Wasserman shared his regret over the situation.
“I’m 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,”
he lamented, noting that his limited interactions with Maxwell and Epstein primarily consisted of a humanitarian trip and a few regretful emails.
