LA Mayor Calls for Olympics Chair Wasserman to Resign Over Epstein Ties

Bass says Wasserman should step down despite LA28 board standing by him

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics chair Casey Wasserman to step down following the release of emails showing his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. The LA28 Executive Committee has said it stands by Wasserman, but Bass disagrees with that decision and believes Wasserman should resign as the city prepares to host the Summer Olympics.

Why it matters

The mayor's call for Wasserman's resignation highlights the ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and the scrutiny being placed on those with ties to the convicted sex offender and his associates. Wasserman's position as chair of the LA Olympics organizing committee makes his past relationship with Epstein and Maxwell a major issue, as the city works to ensure the 2028 Games are delivered in an ethical and transparent manner.

The details

The emails between Wasserman and Maxwell surfaced through the Department of Justice's release of Epstein-related documents last month. They show flirtatious exchanges between the two in 2003, following a previously known trip Wasserman took on Epstein's plane in 2002 alongside former President Bill Clinton for a humanitarian mission with the Clinton Foundation. Since the emails came to light, Wasserman's company has lost several high-profile clients.

  • In 2002, Wasserman took a trip to Africa on Epstein's plane alongside former President Bill Clinton.
  • In 2003, Wasserman exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's co-conspirator.
  • Last month, the Department of Justice released millions of Epstein-related documents, including the emails between Wasserman and Maxwell.

The players

Karen Bass

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

Casey Wasserman

The chair of the LA28 Olympics organizing committee who has faced scrutiny over his past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender whose ties to prominent individuals have come under intense scrutiny.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's co-conspirator who is serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking and other offenses.

LA28 Executive Committee

The board overseeing the LA28 Olympics organizing committee, which has stood by Wasserman despite the mayor's call for his resignation.

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What they’re saying

“The board made a decision. I think that decision was unfortunate. I don't support the decision.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (CNN)

“Hopefully by now you know the facts about my limited interactions with those two individuals. It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending. And I'm heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks.”

— Casey Wasserman, Chair of LA28 Olympics Organizing Committee (ABC News)

What’s next

The LA28 Executive Committee will likely face continued pressure from Mayor Bass and others to reconsider Wasserman's leadership position as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympics.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the ongoing scrutiny of individuals with ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the need for the LA Olympics organizing committee to ensure its leadership and operations are above reproach as the city prepares to host the 2028 Summer Games.