LA28 chair Wasserman rejects calls to resign over Maxwell emails

Casey Wasserman said Thursday he never considered resigning as LA28 chair after emails he exchanged with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell became public, as organizers announced four million tickets sold for the 2028 Summer Games in what they called the most successful Olympic ticket launch in history.

Maxwell was convicted of conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors, and the release of her correspondence with Wasserman has put fresh scrutiny on LA28 leadership — even as organizers push to build public momentum for the Games just two years out. For Southern California residents, including the millions of Orange County fans expected to attend, the leadership stability of LA28 carries direct stakes.

Wasserman, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Maxwell or Epstein, addressed reporters at a downtown Los Angeles press conference Thursday. He confirmed ongoing weekly conversations with Mayor Karen Bass but did not detail their content.

"Look, I talk to the mayor weekly, if not more frequently, and our conversations are between us," Wasserman said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. "They continue to be thoughtful and productive with a completely shared vision on delivering the greatest games for the city and our community."

Organizers used the gathering to tout what they described as record momentum heading into 2028. Four million tickets were sold during the first release — a figure LA28 characterized as the best Olympic ticket launch on record. Federal support commitments are also in place to reimburse local security costs, and the committee says budget contingencies exist for unforeseen expenses.

The Los Angeles City Council separately approved a motion aimed at strengthening financial protections ahead of the Games, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Outside the press conference venue, members of the Fair Games Coalition demonstrated simultaneously, urging LA28 to keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement away from Olympic venues and surrounding neighborhoods. The group argued immigration enforcement activity could deter athletes and visitors from around the world.

In a statement sent to ABC7 Los Angeles, Jacie Prieto Lopez, LA28 vice president of communications and public affairs, said: "LA28 is committed to working with all stakeholders to welcome athletes and visitors from around the world and deliver the safest and greatest Games for Angelenos and beyond."

With two years remaining before the opening ceremony, LA28 now faces the dual challenge of managing continued fallout from the Maxwell emails while countering activist pressure over immigration enforcement — even as record ticket sales give organizers a public-relations foothold to argue the Games are building broad support.