LA Olympics Chief Faces Calls to Resign Over Epstein Files

A 2003 email exchange is threatening to derail the 2028 Olympics. Casey Wasserman, chairman of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, finds himself under mounting pressure to resign after flirtatious correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell surfaced in newly released federal documents.

When Past Indiscretions Meet Present Responsibilities

The emails, buried in millions of pages released by the U.S. Justice Department last Friday, reveal an uncomfortable glimpse into Wasserman's personal life two decades ago. The married sports executive asked to see Maxwell in a "tight leather outfit," while she offered a massage that could "drive a man wild."

Wasserman, now 51, issued a swift apology Saturday, calling his correspondence "deeply regrettable" and emphasizing it occurred "long before her horrific crimes came to light." He stressed having "never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein" himself.

But in today's accountability culture, the distinction between association and culpability often blurs. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking underage girls, some as young as 14, for Epstein's abuse network between 1994 and 2004.

Political Pressure Mounts

Local officials aren't buying the "different time" defense. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn argued that having Wasserman "represent us on the world stage distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous efforts needed to prepare for 2028."

City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez went further, stating that Maxwell was "orchestrating one of the most notorious sex-trafficking operations in our country's history" while allegedly involved with the current Olympic chair. City Controller Kenneth Mejia declared Los Angeles "cannot trust our financial future to someone connected with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell."

The Mayor's Strategic Silence

Notably absent from the chorus of condemnation is Mayor Karen Bass, who declined to take sides Wednesday. Her statement that leadership questions should be "determined by the board of LA28" suggests the political calculus is more complex than it appears. Bass may be weighing the disruption of changing leadership this close to the Games against the reputational risk of standing by Wasserman.

Broader Implications for Olympic Governance

This controversy highlights a persistent challenge in sports governance: balancing moral purity with practical expertise. Wasserman brings decades of sports industry experience and has been instrumental in securing corporate sponsorships critical to the Games' success. His removal could create organizational instability at a crucial planning phase.

Yet the Olympic movement has long struggled with scandals that tarnish its idealistic brand. From corruption in host city selections to doping coverups, the IOC has repeatedly faced questions about whether it prioritizes image over integrity.