Leadership of Casey Wasserman and LA28 Faces City Council Vote Delay
Calls Mount for Casey Wasserman’s Resignation Amid Connections to Ghislaine Maxwell
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council postponed a resolution on Friday regarding the leadership of LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman, following growing calls for him to resign due to his past connections with Ghislaine Maxwell.
The decision to delay the resolution until March 13 stems from city leaders’ concerns about Wasserman’s historical ties to the convicted sex trafficker in light of an independent investigation that recently cleared him of additional misconduct. The investigation found no evidence of a relationship beyond a single humanitarian flight in 2003 and previously documented emails between Wasserman and Maxwell.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced the resolution, which expresses "concern regarding the potential conflict" between Olympic values and Wasserman’s documented interactions with Maxwell. While it does not demand his resignation, it calls for a "thorough and transparent review." The LA28 Executive Committee continues to support Wasserman, emphasizing his cooperation and the age of the interactions.
Despite the backing from city officials like Mayor Karen Bass and City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who have publicly urged Wasserman to step aside, the LA28 Board has maintained that his ties to Epstein and Maxwell did not extend beyond what has been publicly documented. Wasserman, acknowledging the controversy, has apologized and intends to sell his marketing agency to focus entirely on the upcoming 2028 Games.
The rationale behind the city council’s postponement remains unclear. It could suggest potential negotiations with the LA28 committee or a desire for more information regarding the independence of the investigation conducted by O’Melveny & Myers LLP.
The timeline of the events reveals a growing scrutiny of Wasserman’s past, including a 2003 trip to Africa on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane. The resolution will be reconsidered on March 13, a date that holds significant implications for the LA28 committee and the integrity of the Olympic movement in Los Angeles. If approved, the formal statement of concern would be directed to both the LA28 Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), heightening international pressure surrounding the leadership controversy.
