LA Olympics Chief Wasserman Faces Calls to Resign Over Epstein Ties

Wasserman's survival as LA28 chair may depend on securing enough sponsorship money for the $7.1 billion Games.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Behind the debate over whether Casey Wasserman should resign as the 2028 Olympics chief over 20-year-old correspondences unearthed in the Epstein files is a fraught question that has long haunted the L.A. Games: Will there be enough money? A growing number of California politicians are calling on Wasserman to step down over emails between him and Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime companion to Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has apologized but the LA28 committee has backed him, saying he's a strong leader and prodigious fundraiser essential to keeping the Games' finances on track.

Why it matters

The Olympics has a history of leaving host cities with big deficits, and LA28 organizers have repeatedly revised their expenses upward. With LA facing ongoing budget problems, the city could face financial catastrophe if LA28 can't break even. Wasserman's role as a top fundraiser is seen as crucial, but his ties to the Epstein scandal have prompted calls for his resignation that could jeopardize sponsorships.

The details

Wasserman, chair of LA28, has close relationships with International Olympic Committee figures and is entrenched in the sports and marketing worlds. He's been involved with the planning effort for more than a decade after being picked by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti to lead the Olympic bid. LA28 has contracts for about 70% of its $2.5-billion domestic sponsorship goal, with big-name sponsors like Google, Starbucks, and Delta. But revelations about Wasserman's emails with Ghislaine Maxwell have prompted a rush of California politicians to call for his resignation, arguing his continued presence could make some sponsors think twice.

  • In 2003, Wasserman exchanged flirty emails with Ghislaine Maxwell after a humanitarian trip to Africa.
  • Earlier this month, Wasserman announced he would sell his talent agency, saying he'd become a 'distraction.'

The players

Casey Wasserman

The chair of the LA28 Olympics committee, who has been involved in the planning effort for over a decade and is seen as a crucial fundraiser for the $7.1 billion Games.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein who was later sentenced to prison for luring minors to have sex with the financier.

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who is among those calling on Wasserman to step down.

Reynold Hoover

The chief executive for the LA28 committee, who has doubled down on the committee's support for Wasserman.

Chris Dempsey

A leader of the opposition to Boston's 2024 bid for the Olympics, who has questioned whether Wasserman's replacement would have the same fundraising skills and relationships.

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What they’re saying

“I was at a meeting in Dallas with a potential sponsor — hopefully we'll get them signed up — and it wasn't even raised.”

— Reynold Hoover, Chief Executive, LA28 committee (Reuters)

“He still has an important role to play that no one else can.”

— Andrew Zimbalist, Professor of Economics, Smith College (Los Angeles Times)

“Casey's relationship with the city termed out in 2022.”

— Anonymous city source (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.