Casey Wasserman’s name has been removed from the talent agency he founded as the company distanced itself from him after his appearance in the Epstein files.
Wasserman, Hollywood royalty and a major Democratic donor, apologised after flirty emails exchanged with Ghislaine Maxwell more than 20 years ago were released by the US Justice Department. He could not quell the controversy, however, and artists including Chappell Roan left the agency in protest.
Wasserman, 51, announced in February that he planned to sell the company, which has interests in sports and marketing. The agency has been rebranded as “the Team”.
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“For 24 years this company has been shaped by our work, our people and our unifying belief in the power of sports, music and entertainment,” the company said in a statement. “That philosophy remains the foundation of who we are — and where we are going. We go forward as we always have: together.”
Clients of the company include Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Phish, Raye, SZA, Joni Mitchell and Janelle Monáe.
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Wasserman was not accused of any wrongdoing in his association with Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, the late paedophile, but so toxic is Epstein’s name that inclusion in the files has inflicted serious reputational harm.
Wasserman flew on Epstein’s jet in 2002 as part of a humanitarian trip to Africa sponsored by the Clinton Foundation. His grandfather, Lew Wasserman, was a Hollywood studio boss who helped elect Bill Clinton in 1992.
Casey exchanged suggestive emails with Maxwell while still married. In a memo to his staff last month Wasserman admitted that the headlines had “become a distraction”.
“I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort,” Wasserman said. “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.”
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Interest in the agency he founded in 2002 is intense. Private-equity firms and other talent agencies are believed to be circling to buy it.
While Wasserman is selling his company, he has managed to hold on to his job as the chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games organising committee, for now at least.
He worked for years to bring the games to the city but Karen Bass, the city’s mayor, has joined growing calls for him to step down as chairman.
