The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging an investigation into Casey Wasserman, the chair of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee, over his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The non-binding resolution follows revelations of flirtatious emails exchanged between Wasserman and Maxwell in 2003, which surfaced among millions of pages released as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. According to BBC News, the council's vote reflects growing discomfort within the Summer Games' next host city.
Key Takeaways
The Los Angeles City Council has urged an investigation into LA 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The resolution follows revelations of flirtatious emails between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing.
- Los Angeles City Council unanimously approves non-binding resolution calling for investigation into LA28 chief Casey Wasserman
- Resolution cites Wasserman's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
- Wasserman has expressed regret but denies any wrongdoing or business dealings with Epstein
- LA28 committee maintains support for Wasserman, focusing on delivering a successful 2028 Olympics
The resolution expresses concern over potential conflicts between Wasserman's associations and the Olympic movement's values. It calls for a "thorough and transparent" examination of his involvement with Epstein, though it is not legally enforceable. The LA28 executive committee has previously stated that its review found no evidence of misconduct beyond what has already been publicly documented.
Wasserman, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's victims, has expressed regret for his past associations. In an email to employees obtained by the BBC, he apologized for becoming a distraction and announced plans to sell his major LA-based talent agency. Several high-profile clients have since left the firm.
The controversy has sparked calls for Wasserman's resignation from various figures, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. However, the LA28 committee remains steadfast in its support for him, emphasizing its focus on delivering a successful and privately funded 2028 Olympics. The Games have already secured over $2 billion in sponsorships and licensing agreements.
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