Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued a powerful call for Casey Wasserman to step down from his pivotal role as chairperson of LA28, the organizing committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This demand comes in the wake of explosive revelations from recently unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents, which detailed past email exchanges between Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Mayor Bass’s stance marks a significant shift, directly contradicting the LA28 board’s decision to retain Wasserman, creating a visible rift at the highest levels of the city’s Olympic preparations.
Mayor Bass Shifts Stance Amid Mounting Pressure
Initially, Mayor Bass maintained that decisions regarding Casey Wasserman’s leadership rested solely with the LA28 board, an entity operating independently of city governance. However, in a candid CNN interview, her position notably hardened. Bass declared her personal conviction that Wasserman “should step down,” unequivocally expressing her disagreement with the board’s choice to retain him. She labeled their decision as “unfortunate” and explicitly stated, “I don’t support the decision.” This decisive public statement reflects not only her personal view but also mounting public backlash and political pressure. Bass emphasized her primary duty: to ensure Los Angeles is “completely prepared” to host “the best Olympics that have ever happened,” indicating that the ongoing controversy surrounding Wasserman could impede these critical preparations.
The Epstein Files: Unveiling Wasserman’s Past Ties
The catalyst for this leadership debate lies within the Department of Justice’s recent release of Jeffrey Epstein documents. These files brought to light “flirtatious correspondence” from 2003 between Casey Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell. It’s crucial to note these emails date back 23 years, long before Maxwell faced accusations or conviction for her heinous crimes. While the exchanges, including Wasserman’s expressed interest in seeing Maxwell in a “tight leather outfit” and writing “I think of you all the time,” hinted at a romantic relationship, they contained no mention of Epstein, underage individuals, or illicit activities.
Wasserman himself has consistently acknowledged “decades-old ties to Maxwell” and these emails. However, he maintains he “never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein” beyond a single philanthropic flight in 2002. This flight, to Africa on Epstein’s plane, also included former President Bill Clinton and others. Wasserman has apologized for any association with Maxwell, regretting any past connection, especially given the horrific nature of her later-revealed crimes with Epstein.
LA28 Board Stands Firm: An Independent Review
Despite Mayor Bass’s public dissent and widespread criticism, the executive committee of the LA28 board reaffirmed its support for Casey Wasserman. Following the revelations, the board moved swiftly to commission an outside law firm, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, to conduct a thorough review of Wasserman’s interactions and past conduct. After this comprehensive examination, the committee concluded that Wasserman’s association with Epstein and Maxwell “did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented.”
The LA28 board explicitly stated it “took allegations of misconduct seriously” and that Wasserman fully cooperated with their investigation. Citing his “strong leadership” in securing and guiding the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games for Los Angeles, the board determined that his tenure as chairperson should persist. While the broader 35-member board includes Mayor Bass’s appointees, the specific members of the executive committee who made this decision have not been publicly disclosed.
Public and Political Backlash Escalates
The controversy surrounding Casey Wasserman has triggered significant repercussions beyond the LA28 boardrooms. Wasserman’s own agency, also named Wasserman, has faced “a mountain of public backlash” and a wave of “client defections.” Notable artists such as Chappell Roan and John Summit either left or threatened to leave his firm if he did not resign. Amid this escalating pressure, Wasserman announced his intention to put his agency up for sale, acknowledging that his continued presence had “become a distraction” to the company’s operations. In a statement to his 4,000-member staff, he expressed deep regret for his “past personal mistakes” and their discomforting effect on employees, clients, and partners.
Politically, Mayor Bass’s position is not isolated. At least ten other Los Angeles-area politicians, including a third of the 15-member City Council, have echoed calls for Wasserman’s resignation. Many of these officials argue that the controversy creates a significant distraction from the critical preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games. City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a challenger to Bass in an upcoming mayoral race and a voice for women’s rights, is among those advocating for his departure.
Far-Reaching Implications for the 2028 Olympic Games
The leadership dispute at the heart of LA28 carries substantial implications for the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The estimated cost for hosting these Summer Games exceeds $7 billion, a figure heavily reliant on corporate sponsorship and federal funding. Experts suggest that Casey Wasserman, who was instrumental in securing the Games for Los Angeles alongside former Mayor Eric Garcetti, serves as a crucial “lynchpin for sponsors and donors.” His potential departure could significantly jeopardize the financial health of the Games, raising concerns that local taxpayers might ultimately bear the costs.
Beyond the current controversy, pre-existing tensions between Wasserman and some Los Angeles politicians have been noted. Concerns about potential financial shortfalls for the Games existed even before the Epstein file revelations. Moreover, a 2024 report by a British tabloid alleged Wasserman was a “serial cheater” who engaged in affairs with young female staff members. Wasserman, who separated from his wife in 2021, has denied these allegations, adding another layer of scrutiny to his public image. The sheer scale and importance of the 2028 Olympic Games mean they are destined to proceed, but the current leadership crisis casts a long shadow over their preparations.
Political Chess: Bass’s Strategic Move
Mayor Karen Bass’s decision to publicly call for Casey Wasserman’s resignation, particularly after initial hesitation, appears to be a calculated political maneuver. Facing a challenging re-election campaign, her strong stance effectively insulates her from criticism by opponents who might otherwise accuse her of not taking the Epstein case or public ethics seriously. By voicing her opinion but acknowledging that the ultimate decision lies with the LA28 board, she avoids direct responsibility for any potential “discord or upheaval” that Wasserman’s forced removal might cause.
This strategic play highlights the intricate balance between city leadership, Olympic organizing committees, and public perception. While influential figures like Jeffrey Katzenberg, a significant donor to Bass’s 2022 mayoral campaign and a long-time Wasserman supporter, vocally advocated for his retention during an emergency LA28 board meeting, the political pressure proved immense. The controversy has impacted Wasserman’s public appearances and led to his sale of his talent agency, demonstrating the profound personal and professional consequences of his presence in the Epstein files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mayor Karen Bass calling for Casey Wasserman’s resignation from LA28?
Mayor Karen Bass is demanding Casey Wasserman’s resignation following the release of Jeffrey Epstein documents that revealed past “flirtatious correspondence” between Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. Bass expressed her strong disagreement with the LA28 board’s decision to retain him, deeming it “unfortunate” and stating she does not support it. She believes the controversy surrounding his past ties could distract from Los Angeles’s crucial preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
What is the LA28 Board’s stance on Casey Wasserman’s leadership?
The LA28 executive committee has publicly reaffirmed its support for Casey Wasserman as chairperson. After hiring an outside law firm to review his past conduct, the board concluded that Wasserman’s association with Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what was publicly documented. Citing his “strong leadership” in bringing the Games to Los Angeles, the board determined he should continue in his role, despite calls for his resignation from Mayor Bass and other local politicians.
What are the potential consequences if Casey Wasserman steps down from LA28?
If Casey Wasserman were to step down from LA28, it could significantly jeopardize the financial stability of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Experts consider Wasserman a critical “lynchpin for sponsors and donors” for the $7-billion event, which heavily relies on private funding and federal support to avoid taxpayer costs. His departure might create a void in leadership and fundraising efforts, potentially delaying preparations and introducing financial uncertainty, though the Games themselves are expected to proceed regardless of individual leadership.
Conclusion
The escalating tensions between Mayor Karen Bass and the LA28 organizing committee over Casey Wasserman’s leadership highlight a critical intersection of public trust, political accountability, and the enormous undertaking of hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With Mayor Bass unequivocally demanding his resignation and the LA28 board firmly backing their chairman, the path forward for Los Angeles’s Olympic preparations is fraught with uncertainty. As the city gears up for a global spotlight, ensuring integrity and public confidence remains paramount. The unfolding dynamics between key figures like Mayor Bass and Casey Wasserman will undoubtedly shape the narrative and success of Los Angeles 2028.
