L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Avoids Questions On Olympic Committee Chair Casey Wasserman After His Name Appears In Epstein Files

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass avoided questions about Olympic Committee Chair Casey Wasserman after his name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

On Jan. 30, 3.5 million documents related to the Epstein trafficking ring were released by the Department of Justice to the general public. Wasserman was shown to have “flirty” exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was a close associate to Epstein. Wasserman was married to Laura Ziffren at the time of these emails. 

>100 SECRET PHOTOS FROM JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S FILES – SLIDESHOW

Bass promised a statement “shortly,” but refused to comment to reporters. Numerous city officials have called for Wasserman to resign or be relieved of his duties as Olympic Committee Chair. 

Wasserman is not accused of participating in or knowing of Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring.  

Wasserman was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2014 to head L.A.’s bid to host the Olympics. After the successful campaign to get the 2028 Summer Olympics, he was named Olympic Committee Chair.  

Along with Wasserman, Bass, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Reps. Pete Aguilar (D-California) and Norma Torres (D-California) also helped push for L.A.’s bid. 

If Wasserman were to be replaced, Stephanie Wiggins and Janice Hahn are other prominent figures in L.A.’s Olympic preparation. Wiggins is the CEO of the local Transportation Authority, while Hahn is a member of the Board of Supervisors.

However, there’s no indication that Wasserman will be replaced. The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to start July 14, 2028. Team USA won 40 gold medals during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Team USA men’s basketball took home the gold medal, along with gymnast Simone Biles winning six gold medals. Biles has not ruled out competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics.