LA Mayor Says Olympic Chair Should Resign After Epstein Emails

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has said that Casey Wasserman, who leads the LA28 Olympic Games planning, should resign. This comes after old emails between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, were made public. The LA28 board still supports Wasserman.
By Newsroom | Olympics, Los Angeles |

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called for Casey Wasserman, the chairperson of the LA28 Olympic Games organizing committee, to step down. This demand follows the release of Justice Department documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included emails exchanged between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Epstein convicted of sex trafficking. While the LA28 Executive Committee Board has reaffirmed its support for Wasserman, citing an independent investigation, Mayor Bass has expressed her disagreement with the board's decision. The situation has intensified calls from several local politicians for Wasserman's resignation, underscoring the considerable pressure on his leadership position.

LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman urged to step down by mayor Karen Bass amid Epstein files fallout - 1

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The unfolding situation centers around Casey Wasserman, chair of LA28, and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles. The catalyst for recent events is the release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal investigation, which revealed past email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell.

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LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman urged to step down by mayor Karen Bass amid Epstein files fallout - 2

  • Initial Emergence: Emails dating back to 2003 between Wasserman and Maxwell surfaced in the Department of Justice's Epstein document release.

  • Wasserman's Response: Wasserman stated he has never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein, beyond a philanthropic flight in 2002. He has apologized for his correspondence with Maxwell, expressing regret for any association and announcing his intention to sell his talent agency, Wasserman, to focus on the 2028 Olympics.

  • Board's Stance: The LA28 Executive Committee Board conducted an independent review by outside counsel O'Melveny & Myers LLP. This review concluded that Wasserman fully cooperated and that his interactions with Maxwell and Epstein did not extend beyond publicly known information. The board has unanimously voted to support Wasserman's continued role as chair.

  • Mayor Bass's Position: Mayor Bass initially stated the decision rested with the LA28 board. However, she has since publicly stated her opinion that Wasserman "should step down," directly contrasting with the board's decision.

  • Political Reactions: Several elected officials, including Los Angeles City Council members Hugo Soto-Martínez, Monica Rodriguez, and Imelda Padilla, along with City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, have echoed Mayor Bass's call for Wasserman's resignation.

Evidence and Communications

The core of the controversy lies in the content of the emails and the statements made by involved parties.

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LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman urged to step down by mayor Karen Bass amid Epstein files fallout - 3

  • Email Content: Released documents include exchanges from 2003 where Wasserman wrote to Maxwell, "I think of you all the time…So what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?" Maxwell's replies indicated discussions about activities on a beach.

  • Wasserman's Statements:

    "I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein."Wasserman has also stated he "deeply regrets his correspondence with Maxwell" and apologized for his association.He plans to sell his agency to dedicate his "full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028 that is worthy of this outstanding city."

  • Mayor Bass's Statements:

    "And my opinion is that he should step down. That’s not the opinion of the board.” (CNN interview)Bass has emphasized that the decision is not hers to make, stating, "I cannot fire him, but I have an opinion."

  • LA28 Board's Statements:

    The LA28 Executive Committee Board has backed Wasserman, citing an independent investigation that examined his past interactions."The board said Wasserman fully cooperated with the review."

Public Figures Express Disagreement with LA28 Board

Despite the LA28 Executive Committee Board's decision to retain Casey Wasserman as chairperson, a significant number of public officials, led by Mayor Karen Bass, have publicly stated their belief that he should resign.

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LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman urged to step down by mayor Karen Bass amid Epstein files fallout - 4

  • Mayor Karen Bass: Her direct opposition to the board's stance highlights a significant divergence in opinion on Wasserman's suitability for the role. Bass stated her personal opinion is that he "should step down."

  • City Council Members: Hugo Soto-Martínez, Monica Rodriguez, and Imelda Padilla have publicly aligned with Mayor Bass, calling for Wasserman's resignation. Councilwoman Rodriguez specifically condemned LA28 leadership for "doubling down in defense" of Wasserman.

  • City Controller Kenneth Mejia: Mejia has publicly stated that "Los Angeles cannot trust our financial future to someone connected with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell" and called for Wasserman to "take accountability and resign."

  • County Supervisor Janice Hahn: Hahn, who also urged Wasserman to step down, clarified that her opposition is "not about shaming him for his past indiscretions" but rather about the message sent to Epstein survivors and the world regarding the values of the Games.

Wasserman's Business and Olympic Commitments

The controversy has prompted Casey Wasserman to make significant changes to his professional life, ostensibly to focus on the upcoming Olympic Games.

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  • Talent Agency Sale: Wasserman has announced his intention to sell his talent agency, Wasserman. This move, confirmed by reports, comes amid the growing backlash. He stated this decision would allow him to devote his "full attention to delivering Los Angeles an Olympic Games in 2028."

  • Focus on LA28: His public statements indicate a desire to concentrate solely on the organizational aspects of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • Public Event Adjustments: Reports suggest Wasserman has had to step back from other public events due to his connections to Epstein and Maxwell.

LA28 Board's Reaffirmation of Support

The LA28 Executive Committee Board has formally expressed its continued confidence in Casey Wasserman, despite the public pressure and the emergence of emails.

  • Independent Review: The board commissioned an independent investigation by O'Melveny & Myers LLP to examine Wasserman's past interactions with Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.

  • Findings of Review: According to the board, this review found that Wasserman fully cooperated and that his interactions did not go beyond what was already publicly known.

  • Unanimous Decision: Following the review, the LA28 Executive Committee Board voted unanimously to support Wasserman continuing in his role as chair.

  • Discrepancy with Mayor Bass: This decision directly contrasts with Mayor Karen Bass's stated opinion that Wasserman "should step down," creating a public disagreement between the city's mayor and the organizing committee's leadership.

Expert and Analytical Perspectives

While direct expert analysis on the implications for the 2028 Games is not explicitly detailed in the provided articles, the situation presents clear challenges to public trust and organizational credibility.

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  • Credibility Concerns: Statements from elected officials like Kenneth Mejia and Janice Hahn suggest that Wasserman's past associations could impact public confidence in the Games, particularly concerning issues of safety and the message sent to victims of sex trafficking.

  • Leadership Scrutiny: The public disagreement between Mayor Bass and the LA28 board indicates a potential fissure in the unified leadership expected for a major international event.

  • Focus Diversion: The ongoing controversy could detract from the essential preparatory work required for the 2028 Olympics, as highlighted by Wasserman's stated intention to "devote his full attention" to the Games, implying a prior distraction.

Conclusion and Implications

The pressure on Casey Wasserman to resign from his position as LA28 chairperson has significantly escalated following the release of emails between him and Ghislaine Maxwell. Mayor Karen Bass has publicly stated her opinion that Wasserman should step down, directly contradicting the LA28 Executive Committee Board's unanimous decision to retain him, which was based on an independent review. This public disagreement between the Mayor and the organizing committee's leadership presents a complex situation.

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  • Divergent Opinions: The primary tension lies between Mayor Bass's call for resignation and the LA28 board's reaffirmation of Wasserman's leadership.

  • Public Trust: Elected officials, including City Controller Kenneth Mejia and Supervisor Janice Hahn, have voiced concerns that Wasserman's association with Maxwell and Epstein could undermine public trust in the Games and send an unfavorable message, especially regarding combating sex trafficking.

  • Organizational Stability: Wasserman's announced sale of his talent agency suggests a commitment to focusing on the LA28 role, but the persistent calls for his resignation from multiple political figures introduce ongoing instability.

  • Future Steps: The ultimate decision regarding Wasserman's tenure rests with the LA28 board. However, the strong public stance taken by Mayor Bass and other officials may continue to exert pressure, potentially influencing future decisions or public perception of the 2028 Olympic Games.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Mayor Bass asking Casey Wasserman to resign?
Emails from 2003 between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, were released. Mayor Bass believes this makes him unsuitable to lead the LA28 Olympics.
Q: What is the LA28 board's decision?
The LA28 board supports Wasserman. They did an investigation and found his past interactions did not go beyond what was known. They voted to keep him as chair.
Q: What did Wasserman say about the emails?
Wasserman said he never knew Epstein well and apologized for his messages with Maxwell. He plans to sell his talent agency to focus on the Olympics.
Q: Who else wants Wasserman to resign?
Several other Los Angeles politicians, including City Controller Kenneth Mejia and some City Council members, agree with Mayor Bass and want Wasserman to step down.