Flirtatious Emails Surface from 2003 (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Milan – Revelations from newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents cast a pall over the 2026 Winter Olympics here, as the chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee confronted demands to step down over past exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell.[1]
Flirtatious Emails Surface from 2003
Emails exchanged more than two decades ago between Casey Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in the latest U.S. Justice Department files on Epstein.[2] The correspondence, sent in March and April 2003, contained suggestive language. Wasserman wrote to Maxwell, “I think of you all the time… So what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Maxwell responded by describing a “tight leather flying outfit” and promised to wear one upon her return to New York.[3]
Further messages referenced massages extending into bed, spots that “drive a man wild,” and fantasies of floating naked on a foggy beach. Wasserman also remarked, “The only thing I want from Paris is you.”[2] The files revealed Wasserman and his then-wife flew on Epstein’s private jet in September 2002 for a Clinton Foundation humanitarian trip to Africa focused on HIV issues. Participants included former President Bill Clinton and actor Kevin Spacey. No evidence of criminal activity emerged from these interactions.[4]
Wasserman Responds with Regret
Wasserman, who leads the LA28 committee and runs a major sports and entertainment agency, issued a statement apologizing for the exchanges. He said he deeply regretted the correspondence with Maxwell, which occurred long before her crimes became public. “I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,” he emphasized. “I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them.”[1]
The LA28 chairman maintained a low profile during his appearance at an International Olympic Committee gathering in Milan earlier this week. He highlighted progress on the 2028 Games but avoided reporters’ questions.[5]
Los Angeles Politicians Pile On Pressure
A chorus of local leaders amplified calls for Wasserman’s resignation, arguing the association undermined public trust. Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez stated that Wasserman should step aside immediately, as anything less distracted from ensuring the Games reflected city values.[1]
City Controller Kenneth Mejia declared on social media that Los Angeles could not entrust its financial future to someone linked to Epstein and Maxwell, urging accountability through resignation. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez expressed disappointment at the close relationship, saying it undermined the Games’ legacy. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn stressed the message to Epstein survivors and the world, particularly amid efforts to combat sex trafficking around the Olympics.[5]
- State Senator from Long Beach
- Three Los Angeles City Council members, including Hugo Soto-Martinez and Monica Rodriguez
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
Olympic Bodies Voice Support
Despite the uproar, international and national Olympic leaders stood by Wasserman. IOC Chair Kirsty Coventry addressed repeated questions at a Milan press conference, referring only to his statement and declining further comment.[1] U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chair Gene Sykes echoed that sentiment, expressing greater confidence than ever in LA28’s leadership and execution, citing strong fundraising.[1]
The IOC reported full trust in Wasserman, while the USOPC refrained from joining resignation demands.[6]
Key Takeaways
- Emails date to 2003; no criminal ties alleged.
- Wasserman apologizes but receives backing from Olympic leadership.
- Local politicians cite trust and values concerns for 2028 Games.
The controversy threatens to linger as preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Games advance, potentially linking the event to Epstein’s notorious network in global coverage. With billions in projected economic impact at stake, the focus remains on whether Wasserman retains his role. What are your thoughts on balancing past associations with present leadership? Share in the comments.
