Casey Wasserman will remain chairman of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LA28) despite recent scrutiny over his past correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The decision, announced Wednesday, , follows a legal review conducted by outside counsel, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, and a meeting of the LA28 executive committee.
The controversy stems from the emergence of flirtatious emails between Wasserman and Maxwell dating back to . The emails surfaced in Justice Department files released last month and prompted calls for Wasserman to step down, including from five Los Angeles City Council members, two county supervisors, and the city controller. The situation escalated further as several high-profile figures severed ties with Wasserman’s talent agency, reflecting a broader industry fallout.
Among those publicly distancing themselves from Wasserman is soccer star Abby Wambach, who terminated her relationship with his agency, citing the emails as a reason. Chappell Roan, a rising musical artist, also left the agency in protest. These departures highlight the sensitivity surrounding the Epstein scandal and the pressure on individuals and organizations connected to it.
In a statement released after Wednesday’s meeting, the LA28 executive committee affirmed its support for Wasserman. “We found Mr. Wasserman’s relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented,” the statement read. The committee emphasized that Wasserman fully cooperated with the review and that the correspondence occurred before Maxwell’s crimes came to light.
Wasserman himself previously issued an apology, acknowledging the exchange with Maxwell but stating it took place prior to her conviction for sex trafficking. He has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the scandal.
The legal review, conducted with the assistance of outside counsel, focused on Wasserman’s past interactions with both Maxwell and Epstein. The committee, comprised of individuals hand-picked by Wasserman – including Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jeanie Buss, Kevin McCarthy, and Jessica Alba – determined that the relationship did not extend beyond the publicly available information.
The emails in question reportedly originated after a humanitarian trip to Africa arranged by the Clinton Foundation, during which Wasserman traveled on Epstein’s plane. This detail adds another layer of complexity to the situation, given the foundation’s own scrutiny related to its ties with Epstein.
The decision to retain Wasserman underscores the LA28 board’s confidence in his ability to lead the organization through the preparations for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. However, the controversy is likely to continue to generate public discussion and scrutiny as the Games draw closer.
The LA28 executive committee’s statement explicitly stated that Wasserman “should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games.” This firm endorsement signals a determination to move forward with Wasserman at the helm, despite the ongoing public relations challenges.
The situation highlights the increasing pressure on public figures to address their past associations, particularly in light of the revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and his network. The LA28’s handling of the Wasserman controversy will likely be closely watched by other organizations facing similar dilemmas.
While the board’s review found no evidence of wrongdoing beyond the documented email exchange, the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the preparations for the Olympics. The challenge for LA28 will be to navigate this sensitive issue while maintaining public trust and ensuring a successful Games.
