Wasserman Group founder Casey Wasserman has announced he will sell the marketing and talent agency company, as public pressure continues to mount following his inclusion in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Wasserman, who also chairs the LA28 committee for the 2028 Summer Olympics, exchanged flirtatious emails with Epstein’s co-conspirator and incarcerated sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003.

In a memo sent to thousands of Wasserman Group employees and reported by The Washington Post, Wasserman wrote, “I believe I have become a distraction to [the company’s] efforts.” As a result, Casey—son of Hollywood media mogul Lew Wasserman—is already in the process of selling the company and will hand off day-to-day operations to longtime company executive Mike Watts. The sale will also include the Brillstein Entertainment Partners talent division, which represents Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, Courtney Cox, Adam Sandler, and many others.

“This organization, its leadership and the entire team mean the world to me,” Wasserman wrote. “Our 4,000 employees are the absolute best in the business. I see you put it all on the line for your clients every day. Our clients expect – and deserve – world-class representation. And that’s exactly what they get because of all of you.”

Wasserman’s statement also reiterates his assertion that his relationship with Maxwell occurred years before her and Epstein’s crimes became public. Included in the Department of Justice’s trove of millions of heavily redacted documents relating to the Epstein case are a handful of email conversations between Wasserman and Maxwell. The flirtatious emails include Wasserman—who was married at the time—asking Maxwell, “So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?”

In another email, Wasserman asks Maxwell, “I’ll be in NYC for 4 days, can we book that massage now?” after Ghislaine offered a massage that can “drive a man wild.” None of the publicly available emails show any direct contact between Wasserman and Epstein. It has been previously reported, as far back as 2006 (when Epstein was first arrested for procuring a minor for prostitution), that Casey Wasserman flew to Africa on Epstein’s plane in 2002 with Epstein, Maxwell, President Bill Clinton, and actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, among others, for events hosted by The Clinton Foundation.

“Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals,” Wasserman wrote in reference to Epstein and Maxwell. “It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And 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.”

This decision comes after high-profile artists and athletes have begun to either call for a change in the company’s leadership or ask to be removed from the Wasserman roster altogether. Chappell Roan has led the charge as the biggest name to leave the agency, along with soccer legend Abby Wambach. According to Puck reporter Matt Belloni, the band Phish has also privately asked to leave the Wasserman roster, though the band has yet to say anything publicly.

In leaving his company, Wasserman shared that he will instead focus his time on preparing for the 2028 Olympics in L.A. Wasserman was instrumental in bringing the games back to Los Angeles for the first time since 1984, and is head of the independent LA28 committee. Though some in the city’s local government have called for his removal—similarly citing him as a “distraction”—the president of the International Olympic Committee said she had “nothing further to add” beyond what Wasserman has said in his own statements. Then, on February 11th, the Los Angeles Olympics board (handpicked by Wasserman) voted unanimously to keep him as the head of the LA28 committee.

See the latest statement from Casey Wasserman on the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case below.

Team:

I wanted to write to you all directly to share a few important updates. Over the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to many of you directly – and I wish I could have spoken with each and every one of you because you all have put your hearts and souls into this incredible organization.

First and foremost, I want to apologize to you. 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.

The pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is unimaginable – and I’m glad, as I’m sure you all are, that those who helped them commit their crimes are rightly being held accountable. 

Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals. It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And 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.

Other than my children and my fiancée, there are two things that matter most to me in this world: this company that I founded 24 years ago, and the dream I’ve pursued for more than a decade of bringing the Olympic Games back to the city I love.

This organization, its leadership and the entire team mean the world to me. Our 4,000 employees are the absolute best in the business. I see you put it all on the line for your clients every day. Our clients expect – and deserve – world-class representation. And that’s exactly what they get because of all of you.

At this moment, I believe that I have become a distraction to those efforts. That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway. 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.

I so appreciate the passion and fight you bring to your jobs. It’s why you succeed. 

I’m beyond proud of what this company has accomplished to date and excited to watch its next chapter.

All my best,

Casey