Los Angeles mayor demands LA28 chief Casey Wasserman step down amid Ghislaine Maxwell email revelations

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called for Casey Wasserman to resign as chair of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizing committee. Her statement follows recently disclosed documents linking Wasserman to Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking.

The U.S. Department of Justice made revelations public earlier this year, including email exchanges from over two decades ago between Wasserman and Maxwell. Maxwell was a close associate of financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes.

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Despite an independent review supporting Wasserman’s retention by the LA28 board, Mayor Bass expressed a clear dissenting view on Monday. This intensifies pressure on the leadership of the upcoming Games.

Past interactions raise scrutiny

Recently unearthed archives brought to light Wasserman’s interactions from over two decades ago with Maxwell. These communications occurred long before her and Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities became widely known or prosecuted by authorities.

Wasserman has consistently denied personal or commercial relationships with Epstein himself. He previously apologized for his brief association with Maxwell, emphasizing these ties predated public exposure of their egregious crimes.

LA28 board stands firm

Following the disclosures, the LA28 board of directors initiated a thorough review. This investigation, aided by independent legal counsel, assessed the extent and nature of Wasserman’s past interactions.

The analysis concluded Wasserman’s association with Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what was publicly documented. Based on these findings, the board announced last week that Wasserman would remain in his chairman role.

The board praised Wasserman’s “strong leadership” of the Olympic project for the past decade. They expressed unwavering confidence in his continued direction for the 2028 Games preparations despite the public controversy.

Mayor Bass’s unequivocal stance

“My opinion is that he should resign,” Mayor Bass stated in a recent CNN interview, clearly separating her view from the LA28 board’s official position. She unequivocally believes the organizing committee’s leadership needs serious reevaluation given the gravity of the allegations.

The mayor acknowledged her limited direct authority in the matter, noting, “That is not the board’s opinion.” She clarified her inability to unilaterally dismiss Wasserman from his volunteer position due to the independent governance structure.

Bass affirmed her primary responsibility as Los Angeles’s mayor is to ensure the city is fully prepared to host “the best Olympics in history.” Her focus remains firmly on the complex logistical and operational readiness for the global event.

However, Bass strongly condemned the underlying issue. “The behavior of Maxwell, what they were involved in, is abominable, and it is an issue that I have worked on for a very long time,” she asserted, reiterating her commitment to combating sex trafficking.

The alleged Africa trip

The LA28 committee provided specific context to a historical interaction: 23 years ago, Wasserman and his then-wife traveled to Africa. This humanitarian mission was reportedly at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation.

Crucially, the journey utilized a private aircraft belonging to Jeffrey Epstein. The committee maintains this was Wasserman’s only direct interaction with the financier, occurring before any public knowledge of Epstein’s or Maxwell’s crimes.

IOC defers to local committee oversight

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently addressed the situation, emphasizing that any definitive decision regarding Casey Wasserman’s future rests exclusively with the LA28 board of directors. Speaking during a press briefing in Milan, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams confirmed that internal discussions and ongoing conversations about the matter are indeed taking place among relevant parties. Adams stated, “Obviously, it is a matter for the LA28 board at this moment,” acknowledging an independent law firm’s thorough review. He reiterated that ultimate responsibility for drawing conclusions and determining actions lies with the local organizing committee, declining to comment further on ongoing talks, noting the complex nature of the issue.

Wasserman’s business considerations emerge

Reports from the Wall Street Journal last week indicated Casey Wasserman is actively exploring the sale of his prominent talent and marketing agency, Wasserman Media Group. He reportedly informed his employees that he felt he had “become a distraction” to the company’s core operations and its future trajectory, prompting him to initiate the complex process of divesting from the business he built over decades. This personal decision could potentially alleviate some of the intense public scrutiny surrounding his dual roles and his association with the Olympic committee, allowing him to focus on resolving the controversies while ensuring the company’s stability.

Looking ahead to 2028

Despite the ongoing controversies, preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games continue. City officials and organizing committees are striving to deliver a world-class event and uphold the Olympic spirit amidst leadership challenges.