LA Mayor Urges Olympics Committee Head to Resign Over Epstein Emails

Casey Wasserman faces calls to step down from 2028 Olympics role after flirtatious messages with Ghislaine Maxwell surface.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for Casey Wasserman, the head of the 2028 Olympics organizing committee, to resign following the release of emails showing a flirtatious exchange between Wasserman and Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The LA28 board voted to keep Wasserman in his role after an investigation, but Bass said she disagrees with that decision.

Why it matters

The controversy over Wasserman's past communications with Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking minors, has raised concerns about the leadership and integrity of the 2028 Olympics organizing committee. As the host city, Los Angeles has a vested interest in ensuring the games are organized and run ethically.

The details

In emails from 2003, Wasserman and Maxwell discussed massages and Wasserman told Maxwell 'I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?' While Wasserman has said the emails occurred 'long before her horrific crimes came to light,' Mayor Bass believes he should still step down from his Olympics role.

  • In December 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking minors and later sentenced to 20 years in prison.
  • On February 17, 2026, Mayor Karen Bass called for Wasserman to resign from the 2028 Olympics organizing committee.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who has called for Casey Wasserman to resign from the 2028 Olympics organizing committee.

Casey Wasserman

The head of the 2028 Olympics organizing committee in Los Angeles who is facing calls to resign over his past emails with Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ghislaine Maxwell

The convicted sex trafficker who was an accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein and exchanged flirtatious emails with Casey Wasserman.

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What they’re saying

“My opinion is that he should step down.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (CNN)

“I think that decision was unfortunate. I don't support the decision. I do think that we need to look at the leadership.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (CNN)

What’s next

The LA28 board will likely face continued pressure from Mayor Bass and others to reconsider Wasserman's role in leading the 2028 Olympics organizing committee.

The takeaway

The controversy over Wasserman's past communications with a convicted sex trafficker has raised serious questions about the leadership and integrity of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. As the host city, LA has a responsibility to ensure the games are organized ethically, which may require a change in the committee's leadership.