2028 Olympics Chair Sells Talent Agency After Epstein Emails Surface

Casey Wasserman steps down from agency amid scrutiny over past contacts with Ghislaine Maxwell

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, is selling his talent agency after the release of emails between himself and Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman said his interactions with Maxwell and Epstein were limited and he regrets the emails, which date back over 20 years. The LA28 board has conducted a review and said Wasserman should continue to lead the Olympics, but some local leaders have called for his resignation.

Why it matters

Wasserman's ties to the Epstein scandal have raised concerns about his leadership of the 2028 Olympics, a major international event that requires public trust. The situation highlights the challenges of vetting high-profile figures and the lasting impact of past associations, even those that predate known criminal conduct.

The details

In 2003, Wasserman exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of helping Epstein recruit and sexually abuse victims. Wasserman said the emails were the extent of his contact with Maxwell and Epstein, which also included a humanitarian trip to Africa in 2002 at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. Wasserman has apologized for the emails and is now selling his talent agency, which represents major music artists, as he focuses on leading the 2028 Olympics. The LA28 board has backed Wasserman, but some local leaders have called for his resignation over the scandal.

  • In 2003, Wasserman exchanged emails with Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • In 2002, Wasserman took a humanitarian trip to Africa on Epstein's private plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation.
  • In February 2026, Wasserman's emails with Maxwell were revealed in recently released government files on Jeffrey Epstein.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee who is selling his talent agency after his past contacts with Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who exchanged flirtatious emails with Wasserman in 2003.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender whose government files revealed Wasserman's emails with his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Mike Watts

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

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who said she would defer to the LA28 board's decision on Wasserman's leadership.

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What’s next

The LA28 board's executive committee will continue to monitor the situation and provide oversight of Wasserman's leadership of the 2028 Olympics.

The takeaway

This scandal underscores the importance of thoroughly vetting high-profile figures, even for major events like the Olympics, and the lasting impact past associations can have, even if they predate known criminal conduct. Wasserman's decision to step away from his talent agency shows the personal and professional toll these revelations can take.