LA 2028 Olympics Boss Selling Talent Agency Amid Epstein, Maxwell Backlash

Casey Wasserman cites becoming a "distraction" over ties to convicted sex offenders.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Casey Wasserman, the head of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizing committee, announced he is selling his high-profile talent agency amid heavy backlash over his past personal ties to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In an email to staff, Wasserman apologized and said he has "become a distraction" to the agency's operations, leading him to begin the process of selling the company.

Why it matters

Wasserman's connections to Epstein and Maxwell have drawn intense scrutiny, raising concerns about his leadership of the 2028 Olympics and the broader implications for Los Angeles. The sale of his talent agency signals the growing fallout from these controversial associations.

The details

In the email to staffers, Wasserman said he is "deeply sorry" that his "past personal mistakes" have caused them "so much discomfort." He acknowledged that he has "become a distraction" to the agency's work, leading him to initiate the process of selling the company. Wasserman stated that Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while Wasserman focuses solely on delivering a successful 2028 Olympics for Los Angeles.

  • Wasserman sent the email to staff on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The head of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizing committee and the owner of a high-profile talent agency.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A convicted sex offender and former associate of Jeffrey Epstein.

Mike Watts

An executive who will assume day-to-day control of Wasserman's talent agency while he focuses on the 2028 Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Casey Wasserman, LA 2028 Olympics Boss (Page Six)

“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.”

— Casey Wasserman, LA 2028 Olympics Boss (Page Six)

What’s next

The sale of Wasserman's talent agency is already underway, and Mike Watts will take over day-to-day operations while Wasserman focuses on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The takeaway

Wasserman's ties to convicted sex offenders Epstein and Maxwell have become a major liability, leading him to sell his talent agency and devote his full attention to the 2028 Olympics in an effort to distance himself from the controversy and regain public trust.