LA City Council approves resolution urging investigation into LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Calls grow for Casey Wasserman to step down

Additional people are calling on LA28 chair Casey Wasserman to step down from his position following decades old emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. 

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles  City Council has formally signaled its concern regarding LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman, passing a unanimous resolution Friday that calls for a transparent review of his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

What we know:

The resolution, introduced by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, passed with a 12-0 vote after being rescheduled twice. 

It highlights a "potential conflict" between the values of the Olympic movement and Wasserman’s presence in the "Epstein files." 

This follows the release of emails between Wasserman and Maxwell, leading to calls for his resignation from figures including Mayor Karen Bass and City Controller Kenneth Mejia.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Casey Wasserman selling talent agency following Ghislaine Maxwell email scandal
• LA28 Board backs Casey Wasserman following Epstein-Maxwell investigation
• LA28 Olympics chair Casey Wasserman urged to resign Over Ghislaine Maxwell emails

LA28 has defended Wasserman, noting that an independent investigation by O'Melveny & Myers LLP found his interactions were limited to a 2003 humanitarian trip to Africa on Epstein’s plane and subsequent emails with Maxwell. 

Wasserman has apologized for the correspondence, maintaining it occurred years before their crimes were public knowledge.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or the LA28 Organizing Committee will respond to this formal city pressure. 

While the council’s resolution is a significant symbolic and political gesture, it does not have the legal authority to unilaterally remove Wasserman from his position on the private organizing committee.

What they're saying:

"Be it further resolved, that the City Council expresses concern regarding the potential conflict between the Olympic movement's values and Casey Wasserman's association with the Epstein files," the resolution states.

In response, LA28 issued a statement standing by their chair: "With the Board's position on leadership established, LA28's focus remains on delivering a fiscally responsible, privately funded Games that protects taxpayers and benefits Los Angeles."

What's next:

City officials will now distribute the resolution to the LA28 Organizing Committee and the IOC. 

All eyes are on the LA28 Board to see if this formal rebuke from the host city prompts a secondary review or a change in leadership structure as preparations for the 2028 Games continue.