LA Olympics Chair Wasserman Sells Agency After Epstein Files Fallout

Casey Wasserman, the chairman and president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, announced that he will sell his eponymous talent agency following weeks of mounting pressure after his name surfaced in the released Jeffrey Epstein files, according to CBS News.¹

The decision comes after documents made public earlier this year revealed a series of 2003 emails between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and convicted sex trafficker. The emails were described as flirtatious in nature, according to multiple reports.¹²

Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein or Maxwell. He publicly apologized for the emails and denied having a personal or business relationship with Epstein, according to CNN.⁴

Despite those denials, the fallout has been swift and significant for both Wasserman and the agency that bears his name.

Client Departures and Political Pressure

The Wasserman agency lost several high-profile clients in the wake of the revelations. Singer Chappell Roan, one of the biggest breakout artists in recent years, departed the agency, as did retired U.S. women’s soccer legend Abby Wambach, ESPN reported.²

The political response has been equally forceful. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and dozens of California elected officials publicly called for Wasserman to resign from his role leading the LA28 Olympic organizing committee, according to the Deseret News.³

The calls for resignation reflect growing concern among public officials that Wasserman’s continued leadership could cast a shadow over the 2028 Games, which are expected to bring billions of dollars in economic activity to the Los Angeles region.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement that it is “closely monitoring” the situation surrounding Wasserman, though it stopped short of calling for his removal.¹

LA28 Board Stands Behind Wasserman

Despite the mounting pressure, the LA28 board has opted to keep Wasserman at the helm. The board’s executive committee conducted a review of his interactions related to the Epstein files and concluded that his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell “did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented,” according to Deadline.⁵

The board said that Wasserman “should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful games,” signaling that the organizing committee does not view the emails as disqualifying.⁵

The board’s decision to retain Wasserman sets up a potential standoff with local and state officials who have demanded he step aside. It remains unclear whether the political pressure will intensify as the 2028 Games draw closer.

Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 on federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Wasserman’s decision to sell his talent agency represents one of the most tangible professional consequences to emerge from the ongoing release of Epstein-related documents. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled to begin in July 2028.

References

1. CBS News — “Casey Wasserman, 2028 Olympics chair, to sell talent agency amid Epstein files fallout”

2. ESPN — “Wasserman to sell agency, stay with LA28 Games amid Epstein ties”

3. Deseret News — “What a U.S. Olympic official just said about a 2028 Summer Games organizer appearing in the Epstein files”

4. CNN — “Calls grow for Casey Wasserman to resign as chair of 2028 LA Olympics”

5. Deadline — “LA Olympics Boss Casey Wasserman Returns To Town Amid Epstein Files Fallout”