Casey Wasserman to stay as chair of LA 2028 Olympics after Epstein files fallout

February 11, 2026

Casey Wasserman, chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, will retain his leadership position following a board investigation into his connections with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell revealed in recently released Department of Justice documents. The review found that Wasserman's contact with Epstein was limited to a single 2003 flight on Epstein's plane for a Clinton Foundation humanitarian mission to Africa, along with subsequent email exchanges with Maxwell that occurred before their crimes became public knowledge. Despite the board's decision to keep Wasserman in his role, the controversy has resulted in two prominent clients, singer Chappell Roan and athlete Abby Wambach, leaving his talent agency, while some Los Angeles city council members continue demanding his resignation.

Who is affected

Casey Wasserman (LA28 chairman and talent agency executive)
The LA28 Olympic Games organization and its volunteer board of directors
Chappell Roan (singer and former agency client)
Abby Wambach (former US soccer player and former agency client)
Artists and staff at Wasserman's talent agency
Los Angeles city council members, including Monica Rodriguez
LA residents who will host the 2028 Olympic Games

What action is being taken

The LA28 executive committee of the board is conducting a review by outside counsel into Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and Maxwell
Chappell Roan is splitting from Wasserman's agency
Abby Wambach is leaving the agency
Artists and staff inside Wasserman's agency are calling for him to step down from or sell the firm
Monica Rodriguez and other LA city council members are pushing back against the board's decision

Why it matters

This situation matters because it involves the leadership of a major international event, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and raises questions about accountability and appropriate leadership standards for such high-profile positions. The controversy tests whether past associations with convicted criminals, even if indirect and occurring before their crimes were publicly known, should disqualify someone from leading major public events. The outcome affects public confidence in the Olympic Games organization and sets precedent for how institutions handle leaders with controversial connections, particularly given that the Olympics will represent Los Angeles and the United States on a global stage.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC