LA Mayor Demands Wasserman Resign as 2028 Olympics Chair Over Epstein Ties
Pressure intensified on Tuesday against Casey Wasserman, the chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee, after the city's mayor publicly called for his resignation. This demand comes in the wake of the disclosure of flirtatious emails exchanged between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and accomplice of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mayor Bass Breaks Silence on Leadership Crisis
In a late Monday interview with CNN, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated unequivocally, "my opinion is that he should step down." She clarified that while she lacks the direct authority to remove him, her public stance signals significant political pressure. "I cannot fire him," Bass told CNN's Dana Bash, "but I do think that we need to look at the leadership." This intervention directly contradicts the LA28 organizing board's decision just last week to retain Wasserman following an external legal review of his connections to Epstein and Maxwell.
IOC Maintains Distance as Scrutiny Escalates
The International Olympic Committee has consistently attempted to distance itself from the controversy, particularly during the ongoing Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams reiterated this position on Tuesday, stating, "This is obviously a matter for the board of LA28 still at this stage." He declined further comment, noting the many ongoing conversations. The timing of the email revelations, just days before the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, has proven a significant distraction for the Olympic movement.
Business Fallout and Personal Regret
The fallout from the published correspondence has extended beyond the Olympic sphere, impacting Wasserman's business interests. His namesake entertainment and sports agency has lost high-profile clients, including pop star Chappell Roan and soccer legend Abby Wambach, leading Wasserman to initiate the sale of the agency. In a statement issued prior to his attendance at the Winter Games, Wasserman expressed deep regret for his correspondence with Maxwell, emphasizing it occurred "long before her horrific crimes came to light." Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on multiple counts of sex trafficking and is serving a 20-year prison sentence, while Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019, with his death ruled a suicide.
Olympic Preparations Amidst Leadership Turmoil
Despite the controversy, Mayor Bass affirmed her commitment to ensuring Los Angeles delivers a successful Games. "My job as mayor of Los Angeles is to make sure that our city is completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history," she told CNN. Both Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom play pivotal roles in coordinating the complex governmental support required for the massive logistical undertaking scheduled for July and August 2028. Wasserman has been a central figure in the LA Olympic bid since its inception in 2015, and his leadership during the final planning stages is now under unprecedented scrutiny, casting a shadow over the preparations for the global event.
