Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino Calls for Wasserman Music CEO to Resign Over Epstein Ties

Cosentino's public denunciation highlights growing artist activism demanding ethical conduct from industry leaders.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino has publicly called for Casey Wasserman, the CEO of Wasserman Music, to resign over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Cosentino's letter, posted on social media, articulates a frustration felt by many artists about the perceived lack of consequences for those in power linked to harmful behavior. This situation is part of a broader trend of artists leveraging their platforms to demand ethical behavior from their business partners, signaling a shift in the industry's culture.

Why it matters

The Wasserman case highlights the growing demand for accountability and ethical conduct from industry leaders. Artists are increasingly willing to speak out, even at potential career risk, about power imbalances and the need for their values to be prioritized. This could lead to increased collective action, with artists potentially forming groups or unions to advocate for greater transparency and accountability from agencies and other industry players.

The details

Newly released documents revealed sexually suggestive messages between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, and confirmed he flew on Jeffrey Epstein's plane. Cosentino is demanding her and Best Coast's removal from the Wasserman Group website, Wasserman's resignation, and a change of the company name. Wasserman is also the head of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, and the controversy surrounding his connections to Epstein and Maxwell has already drawn scrutiny to his role.

  • The recent revelations surrounding Casey Wasserman's connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced in early 2026.

The players

Bethany Cosentino

The lead singer of the indie rock band Best Coast.

Casey Wasserman

The CEO of Wasserman Music and the head of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier who was convicted of sex trafficking minors.

Ghislaine Maxwell

The former associate of Jeffrey Epstein who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The controversy surrounding Wasserman's role in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if other artists represented by Wasserman Music will follow Cosentino's lead in speaking out.

The takeaway

This situation serves as a stark reminder that the entertainment industry is not immune to the broader societal reckoning with issues of power, abuse, and accountability. The future of talent representation will likely be shaped by a growing demand for ethical conduct and a willingness from artists to hold their representatives to a higher standard.