Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly demanded that Casey Wasserman step down from his role as chairman of the committee organizing the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This call follows the release of documents by the U.S. Justice Department that reveal flirtatious email exchanges between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell from over two decades ago.
Mayor Bass Takes a Firm Stance
In a recent interview with CNN, Mayor Bass expressed her clear disapproval, stating, "My opinion is that he should step down." She emphasized that this position is not shared by the LA28 board, which conducted a review and decided to retain Wasserman. Bass noted that while she lacks the authority to dismiss him, she believes the board's decision was "unfortunate" and does not support it.
Details of the Controversial Interactions
The published files include emails between Wasserman and Maxwell, the former girlfriend of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has denied any personal or business relationship with Epstein. He previously apologized for his association with Maxwell, explaining that it occurred before her crimes or Epstein's were publicly known.
According to the LA28 board, Wasserman's only interaction with Epstein was a humanitarian mission to Africa on Epstein's plane, invited by the Clinton Foundation, 23 years ago. This trip involved Wasserman and his then-wife, and shortly after, he exchanged emails with Maxwell. The board concluded that his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what was already documented publicly.
Board Support and Wasserman's Response
Despite the controversy, the LA28 board praised Wasserman's "strong leadership" over the past decade in preparing for the Games. In response to the scrutiny, Wasserman has reportedly put his talent and marketing agency up for sale, telling employees he felt he had "become a distraction" to its operations.
Mayor Bass Focuses on Olympic Preparations
While advocating for a leadership review, Mayor Bass reiterated her primary responsibility is ensuring Los Angeles is fully prepared to host the 2028 Olympics. She stated, "My job as mayor of Los Angeles is to make sure that our city is completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history."
Bass also condemned the behavior of Maxwell and Epstein, calling it "abhorrent" and noting it is an issue she has long worked on. Her comments highlight the tension between addressing past associations and maintaining focus on the upcoming global event.
