LA28 Board Backs Wasserman After Epstein Files Scrutiny

Organizing committee chairman's leadership role affirmed despite ties to Epstein and Maxwell.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The executive committee of the LA28 Olympics organizing board has affirmed Casey Wasserman's role as chairman, despite his past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell that were revealed in recently released government files. An outside legal review found Wasserman's relationship with the two did not go beyond what has been publicly documented, and the board cited his strong leadership over the past decade in deciding he should continue leading the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Why it matters

The LA28 organizing committee has faced scrutiny over Wasserman's ties to Epstein and Maxwell, who were central figures in a high-profile sex trafficking scandal. The board's decision to stand by Wasserman signals confidence in his leadership and a desire to move forward with preparations for the 2028 Olympics without the distraction of this controversy.

The details

Wasserman has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Documents show he exchanged flirtatious emails with Maxwell in 2003, years before she was accused of helping Epstein recruit and abuse victims. The LA28 board says an outside legal review found Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has been publicly documented.

  • The LA28 board's executive committee met on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 to discuss Wasserman's ties to Epstein and Maxwell.
  • The government files containing Wasserman's interactions with Epstein and Maxwell were recently released.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A former associate of Jeffrey Epstein who was accused of helping him recruit and sexually abuse victims.

Jeffrey Epstein

A financier who was convicted of sex trafficking and died in jail in 2019.

LA28 Board

The organizing committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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The takeaway

The LA28 board's decision to stand by Wasserman despite his ties to Epstein and Maxwell signals an effort to move forward with Olympics preparations without the distraction of this controversy, while expressing confidence in Wasserman's leadership over the past decade.