Wednesday, February 18, 2026-Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called for Casey Wasserman, chairman of the organizing committee for the 2028 Summer Olympics, to resign amid a growing controversy.
Bass’s comments come after newly released U.S. government documents revealed email correspondence from 2003 between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has said he regrets the exchanges, which occurred long before Maxwell’s crimes were known, but the revelations have sparked public and political backlash.
Mayor Bass made clear in a televised interview that she believes Wasserman should step down as head of the LA28 organizing committee, even though she acknowledged she does not have the official authority to remove him.
The nonprofit board that oversees the 2028 Games retains that power, and it recently reviewed Wasserman’s past contacts and chose to retain him in his leadership role. Bass described the board’s choice as “unfortunate” and emphasized that leadership needs to reflect the city’s values and maintain public trust as Los Angeles prepares to host the global event.
The dispute has ignited broader debate in Los Angeles political and civic circles, with some local officials and community advocates also calling for Wasserman’s resignation. Despite mounting pressure, the organizing committee’s executive board and international partners—including the International Olympic Committee—have so far refrained from forcing a leadership change.
As preparations for the 2028 Olympics continue, the controversy highlights tensions between public perception, ethical leadership expectations, and the logistical imperatives of staging one of the world’s largest sporting events.
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