LA Olympics leader Wasserman will sell talent agency in wake of Epstein emails discovery

LOS ANGELES — Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, has announced that he is selling his namesake talent agency following the release of emails between himself and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The emails between Wasserman and Maxwell were brought to light in recently disclosed government files on Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Maxwell was associated. Wasserman, whose agency represents some of the top pop music artists globally, has emphasized that he has not been implicated in any unlawful activities.

In a memo to his staff on Friday evening, Wasserman stated that he has initiated the process of selling the company, as he feels that he has become a distraction to the company’s operations. Mike Watts will take over day-to-day management of the business while Wasserman focuses on delivering a successful Olympic Games in 2028 for Los Angeles.

The decision to sell the talent agency came shortly after the LA28 board’s executive committee convened to address Wasserman’s involvement in the Epstein files. The committee, along with an external legal firm, conducted a thorough review of Wasserman’s interactions with Epstein and Maxwell, ultimately concluding that there was no inappropriate behavior beyond what had already been publicly disclosed.

Despite losing some clients due to the Maxwell emails, Wasserman remains committed to leading LA28 and ensuring the success and safety of the upcoming Olympic Games. He has acknowledged that his interactions with Maxwell and Epstein were limited and expressed regret for the emails exchanged.

Wasserman’s memo to his staff emphasized that his contact with Epstein and Maxwell was minimal and occurred years before their criminal activities were exposed. He expressed deep remorse for the emails sent and the hardship they have caused to the company, its clients, and staff in recent days.

The decision to sell the talent agency marks a significant transition for Wasserman, who will now focus his efforts on overseeing the planning and execution of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The move aims to mitigate any potential distractions and ensure that the Games are a resounding success for the city and its residents.