Pop singer Chappell Roan announced on Monday that she has severed ties with the talent agency headed by Casey Wasserman, the chief of Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, following public scrutiny over his past flirtatious emails with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell over two decades ago. Wasserman has issued an apology for his communication with Maxwell after personal emails between them were made public.
Recently released files by the U.S. Justice Department concerning the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell’s former partner, revealed flirtatious email exchanges dating back to 2003 between Wasserman, who was married at the time, and Maxwell. Roan took to Instagram to declare, “I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman. Artists should have representation that reflects their values and ensures their safety and dignity. This decision is rooted in my belief that substantial change in our industry necessitates accountability and trustworthy leadership.”
Wasserman, known for his roles in sports and entertainment, has denied any personal or professional association with Epstein. He clarified in his apology regarding Maxwell that their relationship predated the disclosure of her and Epstein’s criminal activities. The talent agency did not provide an immediate response to inquiries on Monday.
Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following her 2021 conviction in New York for offenses including minor sex trafficking, was arrested in 2020. Federal prosecutors accused her of luring and preparing young girls for sexual activities with Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Revelations from the U.S. Justice Department’s release of extensive internal documents linked to Epstein have exposed his connections to numerous influential individuals, both before and after his 2008 conviction on prostitution charges involving a minor. Epstein’s death in a Manhattan prison in 2019 was determined to be a suicide.