Pressure Mounts on LA28 Chair
California state officials and Los Angeles city council members have formally demanded that Casey Wasserman resign as chair of the 2028 Olympic organizing committee. This call follows the release of U.S. Department of Justice documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case, which include Wasserman's 2003 correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, a fact that has amplified public concern over the revelations. The 2028 Games are a major undertaking for Los Angeles, and public trust in its leadership is paramount.
Casey Wasserman has issued a formal apology, stating:
"I deeply regret any association with these individuals". However, he denies having any business or personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is known that Wasserman was a passenger on Epstein's private jet in 2002, but he asserts this was part of a humanitarian delegation for the Clinton Foundation.
Official Response and Stance
State Senator Lena Gonzalez and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors argue that Wasserman cannot effectively represent the city given the shadow of these associations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has declined to intervene, characterizing the matter as an internal affair for LA28. IOC representative Kirsty Coventry noted:
"The structure of the Los Angeles organizing committee is not something the IOC will interfere with. This is an internal matter for LA28".
Casey Wasserman has led the Los Angeles 2028 project since its bid phase, with the Summer Olympics scheduled for 2028. The controversy surrounding his past connections continues to generate significant public and political debate. This situation underscores the critical importance of ethics and public confidence in hosting a global event of this magnitude, with local leaders demanding the highest standards of accountability.