Mr. Wasserman asserted that he had “never had any personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.”
Casey Wasserman faces intense scrutiny over ties to Epstein
Casey Wasserman is under renewed scrutiny after his name was included in the newly released U.S. Department of Justice’s Epstein files.
After music artists including Chapel Lawn parted ways with Hollywood mogul Casey Wasserman over his appearance on Jeffrey Epstein’s New Files, the executive announced he would sell the talent agency he founded and represented since 2002.
Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, announced the sale in a staff memo provided to USA TODAY. Mr. Wasserman wrote in the memo that he was “disturbed” by the agency that bears his name.
“I deeply apologize for any personal mistakes I may have caused in the past that may have caused you great discomfort,” Wasserman wrote in the memo. “It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to our clients and partners, who we represent tirelessly and care deeply about.”
Wasserman, 51, asserted that he had “never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,” according to the memo and previous statements.
“I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, which took place more than 20 years ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light,” Wasserman said in an earlier statement, adding, “As is well documented, I traveled on an Epstein plane as part of a Clinton Foundation delegation on a humanitarian trip in 2002. I deeply regret having had any association with either of them.”
For now, Mike Watts will “assume day-to-day business management,” Wasserman’s memo said, adding that Wasserman is “focused on bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles in 2028.” It’s unclear what will happen to the agency’s roughly 4,000 employees, whom Wasserman called “the best people in the industry” if the sale occurs.
Why did Chapel Lawn and the other artists leave Wasserman?
Chapel Lawn announced her departure from Wasserman on her Instagram Story on Monday, February 9th.
“Artists, agents, and employees should not be expected to defend or overlook conduct that is grossly inconsistent with our own moral values,” the Grammy winner said in the post. “We have deep respect and gratitude for the agents and staff who work tirelessly on behalf of artists, and we will not stand by.”
Roane added that “artists have the right to express themselves in a way that aligns with their values,” and Wasserman’s decision to step down “reflects my belief that meaningful change in the industry requires accountable and trusted leadership.”
The “Pink Pony Club” singer’s decision comes as other artists have left Wasserman for similar reasons, including Best Coast singer Bethany Cosentino. Bethany Cosentino published an open letter on Instagram on February 5th, calling for the executive’s resignation.
“This letter is my public refusal to accept that this is ‘the way it is.’ It is a refusal to continue lining the pockets of those closely tied to shady businesses and those who cause toxic and serious harm,” Cosentino’s letter reads. “I am not in the Wasserman business. I have asked that my name and band name be removed from the company’s site. The position that Casey Wasserman has put his agent in is unacceptable.”
The band Beach Bunny posted a statement on social media on January 8, calling Wasserman’s actions “abhorrent and disturbing on every level.”
Was Casey Wasserman criminally charged with anything?
As of Saturday, February 14, no criminal charges had been filed against Wasserman. In a memo to staff, he called communications between Epstein, a convicted child sex offender, and Maxwell “limited interactions.”
“I am heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its customers so much hardship over the past few days and weeks,” his memo said.
Mr. Epstein died in a Manhattan prison in 2019 while awaiting a federal trial for sex trafficking. The disgraced investor has ties to some of the world’s richest and most powerful people, including former President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump. Both men deny wrongdoing and have not been charged.
Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking and other criminal offenses related to Epstein. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
(This story has been updated to meet our standards.)
