Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called for the resignation of LA28 Olympic Games chairman Casey Wasserman amid controversy surrounding his past correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker linked to Jeffrey Epstein. This statement comes in response to emerging details that Wasserman engaged in flirtatious emails with Maxwell over two decades ago. Bass expressed her dismay during a CNN interview, emphasizing the organization's support for Wasserman despite these troubling associations.

Earlier in the month, other city officials had also pushed for Wasserman's resignation, showing a growing concern within the Los Angeles administration regarding the integrity of the leadership for the upcoming Olympic Games. Although initially hesitant to take a firm stand, Bass's recent comments signal a shift in the city's official stance as she stated, "In my opinion, he should resign. This is not the opinion of the board," pointing to a potential reevaluation of the LA28 leadership.

Bass concluded her remarks by stressing the need for internal scrutiny within the LA28 leadership structure, suggesting that the organization must be held to a higher standard, especially given the upcoming international scrutiny that comes with hosting the Olympic Games. The incident raises broader questions about leadership accountability in event organizations and the implications of historical associations with figures like Epstein and his network.