Casey Wasserman Backed by LA28 Board to Continue as Chair Despite Epstein Files Scrutiny
Los Angeles, AU – Casey Wasserman will continue in his pivotal role as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee (LA28) following a thorough review by the board's executive committee. The decision comes after Wasserman's name appeared in recently unsealed government files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
While Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's crimes, the released documents revealed past exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking and abuse of minors. The LA28 board's executive committee convened to discuss these revelations and ultimately reaffirmed their confidence in Wasserman's leadership.
Board Review and Findings
LA28 confirmed that an independent legal firm was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of Wasserman's past interactions with both Epstein and Maxwell. Wasserman reportedly cooperated fully with this review.
In a statement released by the executive committee, the board indicated that their investigation found Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what had already been publicly documented. "The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games," the statement read.
The Nature of the Communications
The files in question included emails exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell in 2003. Among these were messages described as flirtatious, with Wasserman reportedly writing to Maxwell, "I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?" Other exchanges reportedly touched upon massages.
In response to the surfacing of these emails, Wasserman issued a statement on January 31st expressing deep regret. "I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell," he stated, emphasizing that these interactions occurred "long before her horrific crimes came to light." Wasserman also clarified that he "never had a personal or business relationship" with Jeffrey Epstein himself.
Wasserman was also noted as being among a group of prominent figures, including actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, who accompanied former U.S. President Bill Clinton on a trip aboard Epstein's jet to Africa in 2002 for a philanthropy-related purpose. Wasserman has stated that this was the sole occasion he met Epstein.
Reactions and Wider Implications
The emergence of Wasserman's name in the Epstein files had prompted reactions from various quarters. Some athletes and musicians associated with Wasserman's eponymous sports marketing and talent-management company, Wasserman, have publicly announced their decision to cut ties. Notably, retired U.S. women's soccer star Abby Wambach posted on Instagram that she had left the agency following the revelations, directly calling for Wasserman's resignation.
"Casey should resign," Wambach wrote. "He should leave, so more people like me don't have to." Similar sentiments have been echoed by some members of the Los Angeles City Council and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, who have also called for Wasserman to step down from his Olympic post.
On the international stage, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously indicated that it would not exert additional public pressure on Wasserman to resign, suggesting a reliance on the LA28 board's internal processes and judgment.
Looking Ahead to LA28
Despite the controversy, the LA28 board's decision underscores their belief in Wasserman's ability to steer the organization through this period and towards a successful hosting of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The focus remains on delivering a safe and memorable event for Los Angeles and the global sporting community.
Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on multiple counts of sex trafficking and abuse of minors, and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019, while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
The Wasserman agency continues to be a significant player in the sports and entertainment industries, representing a wide array of high-profile athletes and personalities. This situation highlights the complex interplay between personal histories, public scrutiny, and leadership roles in major international events.
The LA28 Games are slated to take place from July 14 to August 13, 2028, marking a return of the Summer Olympics to Los Angeles for the third time.