LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman Keeps Olympics Gig Amid Epstein Files Furor

Outside review finds no new information beyond what was already known, committee says.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Despite escalating criticism over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Casey Wasserman has retained his position as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. An outside review conducted by the LA28 Executive Committee found no new information beyond what was already public - a 2002 trip to Africa on Epstein's jet for a Clinton Foundation mission, followed by flirtatious emails with Maxwell. Citing Wasserman's "strong leadership" over the last decade, the committee concluded he should stay on, even as pressure mounts from some Los Angeles officials who have urged him to step aside.

Why it matters

Wasserman's association with Epstein and Maxwell risks distracting from the $7 billion 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which he has led for the past decade. Some local officials have warned his ties could overshadow the Games, while others have stopped short of calling for his ouster, citing his strong leadership.

The details

After hiring outside counsel to review Wasserman's conduct, the LA28 Executive Committee said it found no interactions beyond the 2002 trip to Africa on Epstein's jet and the flirtatious emails with Maxwell. Wasserman was married at the time. The committee cited Wasserman's "strong leadership" over the last decade in concluding he should remain as chair, despite calls from some Los Angeles officials for him to step aside.

  • In 2002, Wasserman took a trip to Africa on Jeffrey Epstein's private jet for a Clinton Foundation mission.
  • Wasserman later exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell.

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, who has faced criticism over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

LA28 Executive Committee

The committee that oversees the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which conducted an outside review of Wasserman's conduct and concluded he should remain as chair.

Monica Rodriguez

A Los Angeles City Councilmember who has urged Wasserman to step aside, warning his association with Maxwell risks distracting from the $7 billion Games.

Sasha Renée Pérez

A California state Senator who has also called for Wasserman to step down from his Olympics role.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles, who has so far stopped short of calling for Wasserman's ouster.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Wasserman's leadership of the 2028 Olympics and his past associations with figures like Epstein and Maxwell. While the LA28 committee has stood by him so far, the controversy continues to raise questions about his suitability to lead such a high-profile event.