Casey Wasserman to Sell Agency, Will Stay On as LA28 Chairman After Epstein Files Spark Fallout
Casey Wasserman has begun the process of selling his eponymous talent agency while retaining his role as chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizing committee. The move follows the release of government files that included flirtatious email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell from the early 2000s.
Why Wasserman is moving to divest
Wasserman told staff in a Friday evening memo (ET) that he has started selling the company he founded, saying he had become a distraction to the business. He appointed a senior executive to assume day-to-day control while he concentrates on delivering the 2028 Games. The decision comes as the industry and some clients reacted strongly to the newly disclosed emails, prompting an abrupt business recalibration.
LA28 review clears Wasserman to continue leading the Games
The LA28 executive committee conducted a review of Wasserman's interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell with legal counsel and with his cooperation. The committee concluded that his relationship with the pair did not go beyond what the files had already shown and that he should remain at the helm of the organizing committee to deliver a safe and successful Games for Los Angeles.
What the released files show
The government files include exchanges from 2003 in which Wasserman traded flirtatious messages with Maxwell, who was later accused of aiding Epstein in recruiting and sexually abusing victims. The documents also reference a 2002 humanitarian trip to Africa on Epstein's plane that Wasserman has said was undertaken at the invitation of a charitable initiative. Wasserman has emphasized that his interactions were limited to a handful of emails and that he deeply regrets sending them.
Business fallout: clients depart and reputational damage
Wasserman's agency, known for representing major pop music artists and sports figures, has already lost clients in the aftermath of the email disclosures. High-profile departures underscore the commercial risks that can follow reputational controversies, even when no criminal allegations are made against the principal. Agency leadership will now face the near-term challenge of steadying client relationships, preserving revenue streams and managing public perception while a sale process unfolds.
Wasserman's response and next steps
In his memo to employees, Wasserman acknowledged the hardship the disclosure has caused the company and its clients, calling his contact with Maxwell and Epstein a brief period in the past. He framed the sale as a way to remove a distraction and enable him to devote his full attention to organizing the 2028 Olympics. The agency's interim management will handle operations as negotiations proceed, and Wasserman will remain in place to lead LA28 through preparation milestones leading up to the Games.
Implications for the 2028 Olympics and the industry
The episode highlights how historical associations can ripple into current leadership roles and corporate relationships. For LA28, the committee's clearance allows continuity of leadership during a critical planning phase, but organizers will likely continue to face scrutiny from stakeholders demanding transparency and assurances of safety. For the talent representation sector, the events underscore the fragility of client trust and the potential speed at which reputational issues can force strategic changes.
