Six prominent Los Angeles figures have been linked to Jeffrey Epstein in the latest release of 3 million pages of documents by the Department of Justice, sending shockwaves through the entertainment, sports, and business communities.
The files, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, reveal varying degrees of connection to Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021. Some connections appear purely professional, while others suggest more personal relationships.
Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee, appears dozens of times in the documents. The files include risqué email correspondence between Wasserman and Maxwell from 2003, when he was 29 and married. In one exchange, Wasserman wrote, “I think of you all the time… So what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Maxwell responded with suggestive messages about giving him massages that could “drive a man wild.”
Documents also show Wasserman and his then-wife flew on Epstein’s private jet in September 2002 alongside Maxwell, Epstein, former President Clinton, and actor Kevin Spacey as part of a humanitarian trip to Africa.
Wasserman issued a statement saying he “deeply regretted” his correspondence with Maxwell, which occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” He added, “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein… I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.”
Several local leaders, including L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and City Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Monica Rodriguez, have called for Wasserman to step down from his Olympic committee role. Singer Chappell Roan announced she was leaving Wasserman Music over the executive’s ties to Epstein and Maxwell.
Barry Josephson, former head of production at Columbia Pictures and producer of “Bones,” corresponded with Epstein from around 2010 to 2018. In one email exchange from 2011, Josephson responded to Epstein’s request for assistant recommendations by describing a young woman as having an “insane rack” who “will do anything, and tight lipped period end of story.”
Josephson issued a statement to Variety saying he was “ashamed of the crude and juvenile language” in his emails with Epstein. His wife, singer Brooke Josephson, announced their separation following the revelations.
Film director Brett Ratner appears in an undated photo sitting with Epstein and two women, just as he attempts to resurrect his career after facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Ratner told media outlets the photo was from a party around 20 years ago and that he “didn’t have a personal relationship” with Epstein.
Steve Tisch, New York Giants co-owner and producer of films like “Forrest Gump,” exchanged crude emails with Epstein in 2013 about women. In one thread titled “Ukranian Girl,” Tisch appears to ask if a woman is a prostitute, writing “pro or civilian?” The NFL has announced it will review Tisch’s ties to Epstein under its personal conduct policy.
Adam Perry Lang, a celebrated L.A.-based chef, served as Epstein’s personal chef from around 1998 to 2002. In a 2021 FBI interview included in the files, Perry Lang said he was “basically on call 24/7” but was unaware any of Epstein’s young female guests were minors. When his work for Epstein first surfaced in 2019, he stated his role was limited to meal preparation and that he was unaware of Epstein’s “depraved behavior.”
PR guru Michael Sitrick was hired by Epstein’s lawyers in 2011 to assist after a photo of Epstein and Prince Andrew walking together in Central Park generated negative publicity. Sitrick later sued Epstein for unpaid fees of $103,500 and won a judgment of $155,464.
Epstein, 66, died by suicide in federal custody in August 2019, a month after being indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges. Anyone who needs to talk can call 800-273-8255 no matter the time of day.
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