LA28 Board Stands by Wasserman Despite Epstein Ties

Committee says Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell "did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented."

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The LA28 board has decided that Casey Wasserman will continue to serve as chair of the committee overseeing the 2028 Summer Games, despite his inclusion in recently released Jeffrey Epstein files. The board conducted a review and found that Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell "did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented." Some local officials are still calling for Wasserman's resignation, but the LA28 board has reaffirmed its support for his leadership.

Why it matters

Wasserman's ties to Epstein and Maxwell have raised concerns about his suitability to lead the LA28 Olympics, especially as the city aims to showcase its values of inclusivity and women's empowerment. The board's decision to stand by Wasserman despite these allegations could undermine public trust in the LA28 organizing committee.

The details

The LA28 board conducted a review of Wasserman's past interactions with Epstein and Maxwell, finding that his relationship "did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented." The board said Wasserman fully cooperated with the review, which found that 23 years ago, before the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell's crimes, Wasserman and his then-wife flew on Epstein's plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. Wasserman also exchanged emails with Maxwell around that time. The board concluded that based on these facts and Wasserman's strong leadership over the past decade, he should continue to lead LA28.

  • The LA28 Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin in two years.
  • The LA28 board released its statement on February 11, 2026.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chair of the committee overseeing the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A convicted sex trafficker who exchanged emails with Wasserman in the early 2000s.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender whose relationship with Wasserman has come under scrutiny.

LA28 Board

The executive committee overseeing the organization of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who has not joined calls for Wasserman's resignation.

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What they’re saying

“If LA28 is very proud of women being in record numbers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games as they've been talking about, they need to have a leader who maybe isn't affiliated with a convicted human trafficker.”

— Lindsey Horvath, L.A. County Supervisor (KABC)

“Either the Epstein files matter in terms of leadership or they don't. I think our survivors want there to be accountability, and they want people of conscience to take action.”

— Lindsey Horvath, L.A. County Supervisor (KABC)

What’s next

The LA28 board has stated that it will remain focused on delivering a successful 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The LA28 board's decision to stand by Wasserman despite his ties to Epstein and Maxwell raises questions about the organizing committee's commitment to accountability and its ability to lead the 2028 Games in a way that reflects the city's values of inclusivity and women's empowerment.