Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman publicly apologized for past communications with Ghislaine Maxwell, following the release of emails by the United States Department of Justice. The correspondence, reportedly flirtatious in nature, dates back to 2003 and surfaced in new files concerning Maxwell’s former associate, the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman, who was married at the time the emails were exchanged, expressed deep regret over the association.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction in 2021 for sex trafficking minors, while Epstein died in custody in 2019 awaiting trial. Wasserman stated unequivocally that he never maintained a personal or business relationship with Epstein himself. He clarified that his correspondence with Maxwell occurred before the scope of their criminal activities became public knowledge.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which closely coordinates with Wasserman on the LA28 preparations, declined to offer a formal comment on the matter. IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed the situation briefly, noting that such distractions often precede the Games, referencing the Zika virus issue before Rio 2016.
Coventry maintained faith that the focus would return to the Olympic spirit once the opening ceremony commences, suggesting that external controversies typically fade when competition begins. Wasserman currently oversees the organizing committee as it prepares to deliver a progress report to the IOC session later this week.
This revelation places a spotlight on the vetting processes within high-level international sports organizations, particularly as the LA28 committee moves closer to the event awarded in 2017. The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding figures associated with Epstein, given the extensive global legal fallout.
Wasserman is a prominent figure in sports and entertainment executive circles, having managed the successful bid for the 2028 Games. The IOC’s measured response suggests a desire to contain the issue while maintaining operational continuity for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere Games.
