Casey Wasserman—the powerful executive leading the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games—has found himself at the center of controversy after newly released Jeffrey Epstein-related files revealed decades-old email exchanges with convicted socialite Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents, made public as part of a massive Department of Justice release, include flirtatious messages between Wasserman and Maxwell dating back to 2003, long before her criminal convictions.
Wasserman, a major force in sports and entertainment, is the founder and CEO of Wasserman, a global agency representing more than 1,300 athletes and entertainers. He also serves as chairman of the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee, making him one of the most visible figures tied to the upcoming international event. As the grandson of Hollywood legend Lew Wasserman, he has long been a fixture in elite business and political circles.
The controversy stems from email exchanges between Wasserman and Maxwell that were included in the DOJ’s release of millions of investigative files. In the messages, Maxwell made suggestive remarks about visiting Los Angeles and spending time together, while Wasserman responded in a similarly flirtatious tone. The emails also reference travel plans and casual banter, including mention of “JE”—believed to be Jeffrey Epstein—encouraging Maxwell to plan a trip to California.
Although the correspondence appears to have taken place years before Maxwell’s crimes were exposed, the resurfacing of the emails has prompted intense public scrutiny. Critics have questioned the optics of any association with individuals tied to Epstein, even if the exchanges occurred long before the full scope of the trafficking operation became public.
In response, Wasserman issued a statement expressing regret over the communications. He said he “deeply regrets” the correspondence, emphasizing that it happened more than two decades ago and before Maxwell’s criminal conduct became widely known. He also stressed that he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein, though he acknowledged previously traveling on Epstein’s plane as part of a 2002 humanitarian trip organized through the Clinton Foundation.
With Los Angeles preparing to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, the revelations have added unexpected turbulence to what had been a carefully managed public image. While there is no indication of wrongdoing by Wasserman, the association—however dated—has reignited broader conversations about powerful figures who once moved within Epstein and Maxwell’s social orbit. As attention shifts toward the future of the Games, questions remain about whether this controversy will have lasting implications for the Olympic leadership team.
