LA Officials Call for Wasserman to Resign from Olympics Committee Over Epstein Ties

Councilmembers cite Wasserman's emails with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell as a 'distraction' and 'undermining' Olympics planning efforts.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:31pm

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Several Los Angeles city officials, including Supervisor Janice Hahn and Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Monica Rodriguez, have called for Casey Wasserman to step down as chair of the LA28 Olympics committee due to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The officials argue Wasserman's involvement 'distracts' from the Olympics planning and 'undermines' efforts to ensure the Games reflect the city's values.

Why it matters

The LA28 Olympics committee has faced scrutiny over its leadership and human rights planning, and the revelations about Wasserman's connections to the Epstein sex trafficking scandal have further eroded public trust in the organization's ability to properly steward the Games.

The details

Emails between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender, were recently released as part of the Epstein files. LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Monica Rodriguez have all called for Wasserman to step down, arguing his ties to the Epstein scandal are a 'distraction' and 'undermine' the Olympics planning efforts. Other officials, like Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, have expressed concern over Wasserman's leadership given the committee's goal of increasing women's participation in the Games.

  • The Epstein files containing Wasserman's emails with Ghislaine Maxwell were recently released.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chair of the LA28 Olympics committee who has come under scrutiny for his emails with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell that were recently released as part of the Epstein files.

Janice Hahn

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who is working with the LA28 Olympics committee and has called for Wasserman to step down, citing his Epstein files controversy as a 'distraction'.

Hugo Soto-Martínez

A Los Angeles City Councilmember who has expressed that Wasserman's presence as chair 'undermines' the Olympics planning efforts.

Lindsey Horvath

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who has expressed concern over Wasserman's leadership given the committee's goal of increasing women's participation in the Games.

Monica Rodriguez

A Los Angeles City Councilwoman who has stated that 'no one associated with Epstein and his associates can provide credible leadership' in planning the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“I think Casey Wasserman needs to step down. Having him represent us on the world stage distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous effort needed to prepare for 2028.”

— Janice Hahn, LA County Supervisor (Yahoo Sports)

“At the same time as Ghislaine Maxwell was orchestrating one of the most notorious sex trafficking operations in our country's history, she was allegedly romantically involved with the person now serving as Chair of LA28. Casey Wasserman should step aside immediately. Anything less is a distraction and undermines efforts to make sure the Games truly reflect the values of a city that is for everyone.”

— Hugo Soto-Martínez, Los Angeles Councilmember (Yahoo Sports)

“LA28 has lauded the likelihood of having more women participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games than ever before in history. What does that mean when the organization is led by an intimate friend of a convicted human trafficker? Now is the time for LA28 to demonstrate how much they truly value women.”

— Lindsey Horvath, Los Angeles County Supervisor (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The LA28 Olympics committee has not yet responded to the calls for Wasserman's resignation. It remains to be seen whether he will step down from his leadership role.

The takeaway

The revelations about Casey Wasserman's ties to the Epstein sex trafficking scandal have further eroded public trust in the LA28 Olympics committee's ability to properly steward the Games. Local officials are demanding accountability and leadership changes to ensure the Olympics reflect the values of inclusivity and human rights that the city of Los Angeles aims to uphold.