L.A. Mayor Bass Calls for LA28 Head Wasserman to Step Down

Bass says Wasserman's past emails with Ghislaine Maxwell are a distraction for the 2028 Olympics

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for Casey Wasserman, the head of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee, to step down from his position. Bass cited Wasserman's past email exchanges with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell as a distraction that the city cannot afford as it prepares to host the 2028 Summer Games.

Why it matters

The LA28 Olympics have faced growing scrutiny and tensions with local politicians over concerns about financial shortfalls and Wasserman's leadership. Bass' public call for Wasserman to step down represents an escalation of these tensions and could further complicate the city's preparations for hosting the Games.

The details

In an interview with CNN, Mayor Bass said it was "unfortunate" that the LA28 organizing committee is standing by Wasserman despite revelations about his email exchanges with Maxwell. Bass initially declined to take a position on the matter, but has now directly called for Wasserman to resign, saying "my opinion is that he should step down." The LA28 executive committee has previously reviewed Wasserman's conduct and determined he should remain as chair, but Bass argues the city needs to "look at the leadership" of the organization.

  • On February 16, 2026, Mayor Bass called for Wasserman to step down in an interview with CNN.
  • In 2024, the Daily Mail published allegations that Wasserman had carried on affairs with young female staff members.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who has called for Casey Wasserman to step down as head of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee.

Casey Wasserman

The chairman of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee who has faced scrutiny over his past email exchanges with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A convicted sex trafficker who exchanged flirty emails with Wasserman two decades ago, before her crimes became publicly known.

Nithya Raman

A Los Angeles City Councilmember who is challenging Bass in the upcoming mayoral race and has also called for Wasserman to step down.

Eric Garcetti

The former mayor of Los Angeles who appointed Wasserman to run the Olympics more than a decade ago.

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What they’re saying

“My opinion is that he should step down. That's not the opinion of the board.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (CNN)

“We need to look at the leadership of LA28 and my job is to make sure that the city is completely prepared for the Games.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (CNN)

What’s next

The LA28 executive committee has said it will continue to review Wasserman's conduct, but it remains to be seen whether he will heed Mayor Bass' call to step down from his role leading the Olympics organizing committee.

The takeaway

Mayor Bass' public rebuke of Wasserman's leadership highlights the growing tensions between the city of Los Angeles and the LA28 Olympics organizing committee. With the 2028 Games just a few years away, this dispute over Wasserman's fitness to lead the Olympics could become a major distraction that complicates the city's preparations.