LA28 Chief Casey Wasserman Embroiled in Epstein Scandal, Faces Calls to Resign

The reputation of Casey Wasserman, the high-powered media mogul leading Los Angeles' bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, is rapidly unraveling amid fallout from newly surfaced correspondence tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Wasserman has faced a torrent of media scrutiny since late January, when emails emerged showing him exchanging flirtatious messages with Ghislaine Maxwell—the British socialite now serving time for helping Epstein recruit and traffic underage girls. The emails, sent in 2003, predate Epstein's first arrest by three years. In them, Wasserman, who is married, wrote of fantasizing about seeing Maxwell in "tight leather clothes."

Though he faces no criminal charges, Wasserman issued a statement expressing "deep regret" over the correspondence. Still, the damage continues to spread.

On Monday, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Chappell Roan cut ties with Wasserman's talent agency, which represents major artists including Pharrell Williams, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons. In a public statement, Roan said: "No artist, agent, or employee should be expected to defend or ignore actions that deeply contradict our moral values."

Several lesser-known artists have also severed ties with Wasserman's firm in recent days. According to The Hollywood Reporter, additional high-profile musicians are weighing exits, and some agency employees are reportedly exploring a buyout that would include rebranding the company.

Calls for Resignation Intensify

Wasserman, 51, has long wielded significant influence across the sports, entertainment, and political landscapes of Los Angeles. But his standing has rapidly deteriorated. The U.S. press has also resurfaced a 2024 tabloid report alleging multiple extramarital affairs with employees, in which he was described as a "convicted cheater."

Last week, several Los Angeles city officials called for his resignation as Olympics chief. City Councilmember Janice Hahn said publicly: "The fact that he represents us on the international stage diverts attention from our athletes and the enormous effort required to prepare for 2028."

During the recent Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the LA28 delegation maintained a notably low profile, and Wasserman avoided questions from the media.

Key Support Remains—For Now

Wasserman has received public backing from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. USOPC Chair Gene Sykes told reporters: "Casey made a statement that reflects his views... We have nothing to add. His statement speaks for itself."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also sought to distance herself from the controversy, insisting that Wasserman's fate is a matter for the LA28 board—a roughly 30-member oversight body stacked with allies and associates of the Wasserman family. His late father, Lew Wasserman, was a legendary Hollywood mogul who once ran Universal Studios.

Given the board's composition, Wasserman's ouster appears unlikely. Yet the stakes are immense. LA28 has embraced a privately financed model reminiscent of the 1984 Games, relying heavily on corporate sponsorship. The organizing committee projects a $7 billion budget, with some $2.5 billion expected to come from sponsors.

In December, Wasserman announced that the committee had already secured more than $2 billion in sponsorship commitments from major brands including Google, Uber, Starbucks, and Honda. To date, none have withdrawn or publicly commented on the controversy.

Still, with two years until the Opening Ceremony and Los Angeles still recovering from devastating wildfires and recent Trump-administration immigration raids, the optics could not be worse for an organizing chief now fighting to save his legacy.