What's happened
Casey Wasserman, head of Wasserman agency and LA28 Olympic organizer, apologized for flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003, amid calls for his resignation. Artists and officials criticize his past communications linked to Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about leadership and credibility ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
What's behind the headline?
The revelations about Wasserman's past emails with Maxwell expose a deeper issue of accountability in high-profile leadership. The timing suggests a strategic release aimed at undermining his credibility just as Los Angeles prepares for the Olympics. The public and political pressure for his resignation reflects a broader demand for moral integrity in event organization. This controversy will likely force Wasserman to step down or face ongoing reputational damage, impacting LA28's planning and international image. The incident underscores the importance of vetting leadership in global events and the potential consequences of past associations coming to light in the digital age.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights the timing and political fallout, emphasizing that Wasserman's emails, though not evidence of wrongdoing, have damaged his reputation. Sky News focuses on the artist Kayleigh Roan's departure from Wasserman, citing her moral stance and industry standards. The NY Post and Business Insider detail the political calls for Wasserman's resignation, with officials arguing his past communications distract from Olympic preparations. All sources agree that the controversy centers on accountability and leadership integrity, with some emphasizing the broader implications for LA28 and its reputation.
How we got here
Wasserman's name appeared in DOJ documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing flirtatious emails with Maxwell in 2003. Although he denies a personal or business relationship with Epstein, the emails have caused reputational damage. The documents were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates disclosure of all related records. The controversy has emerged as Los Angeles officials and artists question Wasserman's leadership ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Go deeper
- Will Wasserman step down from his role in LA28?
- How are artists and officials responding to the scandal?
- What does this mean for leadership standards in global events?
More on these topics
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Ghislaine Noelle Marion Maxwell is a British socialite, known for her association with financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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Casey Wasserman is an entertainment executive and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct Arena Football League team the Los Angeles Avengers. He is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers.
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Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He began his professional life as a teacher but then switched to the banking and finance sector in various roles, working at Bear Stearns before forming his own firm.
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Janice Kay Hahn is an American politician serving as the member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from the 4th district since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, she was a U.S.
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Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, known professionally as Chappell Roan, is an American singer and songwriter. Working with collaborator Dan Nigro, the majority of her music is inspired by 1980s synth-pop and early 2000s pop hits.
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Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer and songwriter. She first gained attention in 2015 when she uploaded the song "Ocean Eyes" to SoundCloud, which was subsequently released by the Interscope Records subsidiary Darkroom.