Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued a direct and forceful call for Casey Wasserman to step down from his position as chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee. This demand follows the release of documents by the Justice Department that revealed Wasserman exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, back in 2003.
Controversial Emails and Public Fallout
Casey Wasserman, a prominent 51-year-old Hollywood mogul, has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. However, the disclosed emails show he discussed topics such as 'massages,' 'rubbing,' and naked beach activities with Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking and abuse of minors. These revelations have triggered significant public backlash and an exodus of talent from the Wasserman agency, including high-profile clients like singer Chappell Roan and US soccer legend Abby Wambach.
Mayor Bass's Strong Stance
In an interview with CNN on Monday, Mayor Bass explicitly stated her position, saying, 'I cannot fire him, but I have an opinion. And my opinion is that he should step down. That’s not the opinion of the board.' Her comments come just days after the LA28 executive committee voted to retain Wasserman, following a review conducted with an outside legal firm. The committee concluded that Wasserman's interactions with Epstein and Maxwell were limited to what has been publicly documented and praised his leadership over the past decade.
Despite this endorsement, Bass responded critically, noting, 'The board made a decision. I think that decision was unfortunate. I don’t support the decision. I do think that we need to look at the leadership.' Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has declined to apply additional public pressure on Wasserman to resign, leaving the matter largely in local hands.
Wasserman's Apology and Agency Turmoil
Amid the growing controversy, Wasserman has issued a public apology, expressing regret for his correspondence with Maxwell, which he described as taking place 'over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.' In a memo to his staff, obtained by the Wall Street Journal, he admitted that his past relationship with Maxwell had 'become a distraction' and caused hardship for the company and its clients. He wrote, 'I'm deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort. It's not fair to you, and it's not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.'
Operational Changes and Future Uncertainties
As a result of the scandal, Wasserman has announced plans to put his talent company up for sale, with long-time executive Mike Watts taking over daily operations. This move allows Wasserman to focus on the sale while continuing his role with the Olympics committee, though his leadership is now under intense scrutiny. He has claimed to 'never have had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,' citing a single interaction in 2002 when he flew on Epstein's private plane for a humanitarian mission to Africa with his then-wife Laura, at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation.
The executive committee's review confirmed this as his only direct contact with Epstein, followed shortly by the email exchanges with Maxwell. Among these exchanges was Wasserman telling Maxwell, 'I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?' These details have fueled calls for his resignation from local officials and now from Mayor Bass, adding pressure on the organizing committee as preparations for the 2028 Games continue.
