Mayor Karen Bass Calls for LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman to Step Down Following Epstein Email Disclosure
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has stated that LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman should step down following renewed scrutiny linked to email correspondence released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently made public a series of past email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in connection with sex trafficking offenses. The disclosure has prompted reactions from several Los Angeles city officials. Wasserman has already stepped away from his agency.
Wasserman, an entertainment executive and sports agent, currently serves as Chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (LA28). In recent days, L.A. City Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Hugo Soto-Martinez, City Controller Kenneth Mejia, and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath have expressed concerns regarding his continued leadership.
Mayor Bass had initially refrained from commenting publicly, stating that the matter fell under the responsibility of the LA28 board. However, during an interview with CNN on Monday, she clarified her personal position.
“My opinion is that he should step down. That is not the opinion of the board,” Bass said, while noting that the decision ultimately rests with LA28’s governing body. She added that her primary focus remains on preparing the city to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Last week, the LA28 board announced that, following a review of the situation, Wasserman would continue in his role as Chair. The executive committee also issued a statement supporting the decision and affirming that the organisation takes allegations of misconduct seriously.
Wasserman has publicly apologised for his past association with Maxwell and expressed regret regarding the correspondence. It has also been reported that he intends to sell his sports and entertainment company following the backlash related to the disclosures.
LA28 continues its preparations for the 2028 Games amid ongoing discussion surrounding its leadership.