Yeesh. Since all 3 trillion Epstein files have been released, we’ve been seeing some names we possibly weren’t expecting to see (but, such is life when everyone with power and money is a creep or creep-adjacent). Just look at Wasserman Media Group CEO Casey Wasserman as an example. A big name in entertainment, Wasserman has definitely received mucho de flacko since his name was discovered amongst all the other pervs-by-proxy, so he’s made the very smart decision to just shut the agency down.
Wasserman said the following, as reported by Deadline:
“Team:
“I wanted to write to you all directly to share a few important updates. Over the past couple of weeks, I have spoken to many of you directly – and I wish I could have spoken with each and every one of you because you all have put your hearts and souls into this incredible organization.
“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.
“The pain experienced by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is unimaginable – and I’m glad, as I’m sure you all are, that those who helped them commit their crimes are rightly being held accountable.
“Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals. It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And I’m heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.
“Other than my children and my fiancée, there are two things that matter most to me in this world: this company that I founded 24 years ago, and the dream I’ve pursued for more than a decade of bringing the Olympic Games back to the city I love.
“This organization, its leadership and the entire team mean the world to me. Our 4,000 employees are the absolute best in the business. I see you put it all on the line for your clients every day. Our clients expect – and deserve – world-class representation. And that’s exactly what they get because of all of you.
“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. During this time, Mike Watts will assume day-to-day control of the business while I devote my full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city.
“I so appreciate the passion and fight you bring to your jobs. It’s why you succeed.
“I’m beyond proud of what this company has accomplished to date and excited to watch its next chapter.
All my best,
Casey”
Many artists have spoken out since, including Dying Wish, Hot Mulligan, Dropkick Murphys, and more. You can read their statements below.
Dying Wish:
“Recently we have been made aware of some staggering connections between the CEO of Wasserman and Jeffrey Epstein. From the moment we heard these sickening allegations we knew without a doubt that we were going to remove ourselves from any association to the Wasserman name.
“The only person who has represented us since 2019 is Jake Zimmerman. Jake has believed in this band when nobody else did and he is someone we are proud to call our friend.
“We trust Jake and our team to make the right decisions moving forward. This process has taken time and that has been uncomfortable but we believe it will honor our demands, what we stand for and the community we share.
“We are horrified at this situation and our hearts go out to all survivors as we navigate this together. Music belongs to us, not the executives.”
Hot Mulligan:
“The founder of our booking agency, Casey Wasserman, has been implicated in the Epstein files. We would like to make it clear that we stand with the victims of Epstein’s abuse and trafficking and have no personal ties to Casey Wasserman himself.
“At this time we are allowing our booking agents-who also do not have personal relations with Casey Wasserman—to figure out their next moves. Rest assured that we will no longer be affiliated with the company if Casey is still in the picture.”
Dropkick Murphys:
“Dropkick Murphys have parted ways with the Wasserman Music agency.
“We love our agents. They are great partners. We signed with them years before they merged with Wasserman.
“It saddens us to part ways with them, but the namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files so… we GONE.”
Split Chain:
“Since the information that Casey Wasserman has been involved in the Epstein Files we have been trying to figure out what that means for us as a band. For those who don’t know, we are represented by Wasserman, the agency, for our show bookings. However, we have never had any interaction with the CEO (Casey Wasserman) or any higher ups in the company and we signed with our respective agents solely (who don’t have any relationship with C.W either). We don’t want to be under any person that contributes and is a part of something we as people would never tolerate. We stand with any and all survivors and victims within the Epstein files and we want to give our agents time to figure out the next steps. We hope other artists, especially within our scene, will understand the severity of this and stick together to make sure this scene is a safe place for all. We will keep everyone updated as soon as we know anything further. Thank you for your time and patience. SC”
grandson:
“Around any artist is a sea of people helping us hold onto our vision and talent while we navigate the murky, ever changing waters of the entertainment industry. In exchange for profiting off of and exploiting our talent, we entrust this sphere of booking agents, managers, lawyers, streaming services, social media platforms, touring professionals and record executives to move through spaces on our behalf with some modicum of integrity and honesty, knowing they reflect directly back on us as talent. And as more and more power is consolidated, the wealthiest and most well connected figureheads at the top of these institutions continue to appall us, entrenching their power and daring us as artists to find different ways to connect with our audiences.
“This weekend in a new leak it was discovered the founder of a prominent US booking agency, whom I have had no direct contact with but who employs some of the people booking my festivals and tours behind the scenes, is directly implicated in the Epstein files for his longstanding relationship with Ghislane Maxwell.
“Like so many others, it makes me feel violated as an artist, and goes against everything I have built my career on.
“As such I join the chorus of calls for Casey Wasserman to step down, the company to immediately change name and leadership structure, as well as make a donation to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
“Out of respect for the employees at the company who are not involved whatsoever and who Ive now worked with for years I gave this a couple days to see how aggressively the company would respond and have been disappointed by the glaring sanitized silence we as artists have been offered. These changes would represent just a start to repairing some of the damage this company and their leadership has done to the music community within the building.
“Just as my fans put trust in me, I put trust in the professionals around me, and that trust has been broken.”