Quick Read
- Los Angeles officials are calling for LA2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman to resign.
- The demand follows revelations of “flirtatious emails” between Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003.
- These emails were part of millions of documents recently released from Jeffrey Epstein’s files by the U.S. Justice Department.
- Wasserman apologized for his association with Maxwell, stating it occurred before her or Epstein’s crimes were revealed.
- IOC President Kirsty Coventry expressed sadness over distractions from the Olympic Games amidst the controversy.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Local officials in Los Angeles are calling for the immediate resignation of Casey Wasserman, the prominent head of the LA2028 Olympics organizing committee, following revelations from newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein files that exposed “flirtatious emails” between Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell dating back over two decades. The controversy, which surfaced this week, threatens to overshadow preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games and has intensified scrutiny on the extensive network connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Calls for Resignation Intensify Over Maxwell Links
The demands for Wasserman’s departure stem from a Los Angeles Times report detailing communications between him and Maxwell as early as 2003. These exchanges were among millions of documents recently released by the U.S. Justice Department related to its investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested in 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors and died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell that same year.
Among those publicly calling for Wasserman to step down are Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, and several city council members. Supervisor Hahn emphasized the potential for distraction, stating to the L.A. Times, “Having him represent us on the world stage distracts focus from our athletes and the enormous effort needed to prepare for 2028.” The concern among officials is that Wasserman’s past association with Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking and conspiracy in 2021, could tarnish the image of the Los Angeles Games and shift public attention away from the athletic endeavor itself.
Wasserman’s Apology and Olympic Distraction
In response to the revelations, Casey Wasserman issued an apology on Sunday, February 1, acknowledging his past association with Ghislaine Maxwell. He clarified that their relationship predated the public disclosure of her or Epstein’s crimes, asserting that he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein himself. Despite his apology, the calls for his resignation persisted, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding any connection to the Epstein scandal, particularly for individuals in high-profile public roles.
The timing of these revelations also coincides with the lead-up to the Milano Cortina Winter Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who became the first woman to lead the International Olympic Committee last March, commented on the situation, stating on Sunday that the Olympics had “nothing further to add.” Coventry expressed regret over any external issues diverting attention from the Games, noting, “Anything that is distracting from these Games is sad.” Her remarks underscore the Olympic movement’s desire to maintain focus on sport, even as figures associated with its major events face intense public scrutiny.
Broader Revelations from Epstein Document Release
The emails involving Wasserman and Maxwell are just a fraction of the sprawling 3 million pages of new Epstein files that the U.S. Justice Department has made public. These documents cover a vast array of disturbing episodes and implicate a wide range of figures across politics, entertainment, and business, according to a Vanity Fair report. While many prominent figures, including Donald Trump, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk, have been mentioned in the broader releases and have broadly denied wrongdoing, the sheer volume and nature of the content continue to generate shockwaves.
The newly released files include unsettling insights into Epstein’s communications and the activities of his associates. For instance, the word “whoops” appears more than 400 times in Epstein’s emails, used in responses ranging from alleged rape to the death of Mary Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s second wife. Another exchange from 2016 reveals celebrity longevity guru Peter Attia writing to Epstein, “Pussy is, indeed, low carb,” and in a separate email, expressing withdrawal symptoms if he didn’t see Epstein, and how “the life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can’t tell a soul.” Attia later posted on X, apologizing for “embarrassing” emails and clarifying a “fresh shipment” referred to metformin medication.
Further disturbing details include a 2009 correspondence from publicist Peggy Siegal offering to “bring a little baby back for you….or two. Boys or girls? So Madonna” in reference to a trip to Kenya. Emirati businessman Sultan bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World, also featured in a 2013 email expressing disappointment over a “Moldavian” woman not being “as attractive as the picture” but noting a “Ukrainian is very beautiful.” These examples from the newly released documents paint a stark picture of the morally compromised environment surrounding Epstein and his network.
The Lingering Shadow of Jeffrey Epstein’s Network
The ongoing release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s activities continues to expose the extent of his connections and the disturbing nature of his inner circle. Ghislaine Maxwell, as Epstein’s longtime associate and enabler, played a critical role in his sex trafficking operation, leading to her own conviction. The revelations surrounding her communications with figures like Casey Wasserman underscore the lasting impact of the scandal and the persistent public demand for accountability from anyone associated with the disgraced financier.
The scrutiny on Wasserman’s role in the LA2028 Olympics highlights the current climate where past associations, even those predating public knowledge of crimes, are subject to intense examination when individuals hold positions of significant public trust and representation. As the world prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games, the focus remains sharply divided between athletic anticipation and the ethical implications arising from the shadows of the Epstein files.
The continued unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein’s documents serves as a powerful reminder of the deep and pervasive network he cultivated, demonstrating how individuals once considered peripheral are now being held to account for their proximity to his heinous crimes, irrespective of when those connections were formed.