Wasserman Agency Sold Amid Epstein File Fallout

CEO steps down as artists flee agency over ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Wasserman Group, a prominent talent agency, is being sold after revelations linking its founder Casey Wasserman to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The announcement has triggered an exodus of artists from the agency, with high-profile acts like Chappell Roan, Wednesday, and Weyes Blood cutting ties. This shift underscores a growing intolerance in the entertainment industry for associations with individuals accused of misconduct, as well as a broader reckoning over ethical standards in talent representation.

Why it matters

The Wasserman situation is part of a larger pattern of the entertainment industry facing increasing pressure for accountability. The #MeToo movement and the Epstein revelations have amplified the demand for ethical conduct at all levels, forcing agencies traditionally focused on profits to now consider the moral implications of their client lists and leadership.

The details

Following the release of the Epstein files, several artists have departed the Wasserman Group, including Chappell Roan, Wednesday, and Weyes Blood. Bethany Cosentino, another former Wasserman client, stated she 'did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.' The removal of the artist roster from Wasserman's website last weekend further emphasizes the disruption. This exodus is part of a broader re-evaluation of agency-artist relationships, with other acts like Odesza and Orville Peck also cutting ties with the agency.

  • The Epstein files were released on January 30, 2026.
  • Artists began departing the Wasserman Group in the weeks following the Epstein file release.
  • Wasserman's artist roster was removed from the agency's website last weekend.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The founder of the Wasserman Group talent agency, who is selling the agency in the wake of revelations linking him to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Chappell Roan

A musician who departed the Wasserman Group following the Epstein file release.

Bethany Cosentino

A former Wasserman client who stated she 'did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation.'

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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)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Casey Wasserman's decision to focus on his role as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics suggests a desire to distance himself from the immediate controversy. However, the association with Epstein will likely continue to follow him, and his leadership of the Olympics will be subject to intense public scrutiny.

The takeaway

The Wasserman situation is a bellwether for how power dynamics and ethical considerations are reshaping talent representation in the entertainment industry. Artists are now prioritizing ethical alignment over the potential benefits of working with a powerful agency, signaling a broader shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the industry.