LA28 Olympics Chief Implicated in Newly Released Ghislaine Maxwell Emails
A newly unsealed tranche of documents from the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein has revealed a series of personal email exchanges between Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizing committee, and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The correspondence, which dates back to 2003, details plans for private meetings and contains intimate language, raising questions about the depth of the relationship between the prominent sports executive and Epstein’s former associate.
The files, released on Friday as part of a massive disclosure mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, show Wasserman and Maxwell exchanging messages in March and April of 2003. At the time, Wasserman was approximately two years into his marriage to his then-wife, Laura Ziffren. In one exchange from March 14, 2003, Maxwell reportedly described wearing a “tight leather flying outfit” and mentioned thinking of Wasserman. Wasserman’s reply, contained in the documents, stated, “I think of you all the time,” and asked what he would have to do to see her in the outfit. Further correspondence includes discussions about Maxwell providing a massage that could “drive a man wild” and plans for the two to meet in New York City.
These revelations come at a critical time for Wasserman, who is spearheading the city’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Games. As the grandson of legendary Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman, Casey Wasserman is a central figure in Los Angeles’ business and philanthropic circles. He has served as the chair of the LA28 committee since its inception, playing a pivotal role in securing the bid for the city. The release of these documents adds a new layer of scrutiny to his associations, which previously included a documented flight on Epstein’s private jet in 2002. That trip, a humanitarian mission to Africa, also included former President Bill Clinton and actor Kevin Spacey.
While the emails suggest a close personal dynamic, the documents do not contain evidence accusing Wasserman of participating in the illicit activities for which Maxwell and Epstein were later convicted. The exchanges occurred years before Maxwell’s 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges and prior to the widespread public knowledge of Epstein’s criminal enterprise. Supporters and previous defenses regarding Wasserman’s association with the pair have often emphasized the timing of these interactions, noting they took place before the full extent of Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes was known to the general public.
As of the document release on Friday, representatives for Wasserman have not issued a formal response to the specific content of the emails. In the past, regarding the 2002 flight, Wasserman maintained that his interactions were limited and occurred within the context of legitimate philanthropic travel. The LA28 committee has also yet to comment on whether these disclosures will impact his leadership role as the city prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games.
latimes.com
infonasional.com
