Ask Onix
Wasserman moves to sell agency amid client exodus
Casey Wasserman, the high-profile U.S. sports and entertainment agent, has begun selling his Los Angeles-based talent company after newly released documents linked him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Client departures follow revelations
Several prominent clients, including singer Chappell Roan, have left the agency this week. Roan announced her departure on Instagram Tuesday, stating that no artist or employee should be expected to overlook actions conflicting with their moral values. She did not directly reference the Epstein documents.
Other artists, such as country musician Orville Peck, rock band Wednesday, and singer-songwriter Weyes Blood, have also announced their exits. Former U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach joined them, saying she was following her values and would not remain under Wasserman's leadership.
Wasserman addresses past interactions
In a company-wide email sent Friday and obtained by the BBC, Wasserman acknowledged that he had become a distraction. He expressed regret for his past interactions with Maxwell, which included flirtatious emails exchanged in 2003.
"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 and care so deeply about."
Casey Wasserman, in an email to employees
Wasserman emphasized that his exchanges with Maxwell occurred over two decades ago, long before her crimes were publicly known. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's victims, and the documents do not imply criminal activity.
Olympics role remains intact
The organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) confirmed this week that Wasserman will retain his position as chairman. A review found that his interactions with Maxwell were limited to the already-documented exchanges, and he fully cooperated with an investigation.
The LA28 board stated that Wasserman and his then-wife flew on Epstein's private plane in 2003 as part of a Clinton Foundation humanitarian mission to Africa. The board noted that this was Wasserman's only interaction with Epstein and occurred before the public was aware of Epstein and Maxwell's crimes.
Wasserman's prior statements
Wasserman had previously denied having any "personal or business relationship" with Epstein. In his Friday email, he reiterated his regret for the exchanges with Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for facilitating Epstein's abuse of teenage girls.
