Local Natives exit Wasserman after CEO named in Epstein files
The exodus of artists from Wasserman Music has continued to grow with Local Natives confirming their exit over the release of the Epstein files.
The company’s CEO and founder, Casey Wasserman, was named multiple times in the latest release of the files related to the Epstein investigation by the Department of Justice.
Wasserman frequently communicated over email during the early 2000s with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.
Best Coast’s Beth Cosentino issued an open letter last week, demanding, “This is a call for him to step down and a change of business name be imminent.”
Then, earlier this week, Chappell Roan, Wednesday, Orville Peck, and Weyes Blood have all publicly announced their departures from Wasserman Music due to the CEO’s connection to the Epstein files.
Additionally, former United States football player Abby Wambach, who won the World Cup, has become the first athlete to leave Wasserman Sports amid the ongoing scandal.
Now, Local Natives have confirmed on Instagram, “We are leaving the Wasserman agency amid the surfaced allegations against the company’s CEO.”
The American indie band continued, “We have been with our booking agent our entire career, and if you’ve ever seen us play live, she and her team are the ones to thank for helping build our touring career alongside us.”
Their post concluded, “They are just one of the many teams whose jobs and lives are upended, and we don’t want to be part of an agency with him at the helm.”
Meanwhile, punk band Hot Mulligan have also issued a statement condemning Wasserman, stating, “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.”
While they have not yet left the agency this time, they are “allowing our booking agents – who also do not have personal relations with Casey Wasserman – to figure out their next moves”.
They added, “Rest assured that we will no longer be affiliated with the company if Casey is still in the picture.”
After his name emerged in the Epstein files, Wasserman apologised publicly for his communication with Maxwell, stating, “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
Wasserman added, “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.”
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