Listen to the article
In a new trove of government documents released on Jeffrey Epstein, emails between Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee, and Ghislaine Maxwell have surfaced, revealing personal exchanges from 2003 that Wasserman now says he “deeply regrets.”
The correspondence includes suggestive messages, with Wasserman telling Maxwell in one email, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Another exchange discusses massages, while a separate email shows Maxwell asking whether an upcoming visit would be foggy enough “so that you can float naked down the beach and no one can see you unless they are close up?” Wasserman responded, “or something like that.”
On Saturday, Wasserman issued a statement expressing remorse over his communications with Maxwell. “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell,” he said, noting that these exchanges occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
Wasserman emphasized that he “never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,” though he acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s plane in 2002 as part of a Clinton Foundation humanitarian delegation. “I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them,” his statement concluded.
The documents were made public under recently passed legislation requiring the government to release its files on Epstein and Maxwell. In 2021, Maxwell was convicted on five counts related to sex trafficking and abuse of minors and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019, one month after being indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Wasserman is a prominent figure in the sports and entertainment industry, having built a successful agency that represents elite athletes across multiple sports, including football, basketball, and baseball, as well as major Hollywood actors like Adam Sandler and Brad Pitt.
In recent years, Wasserman has gained additional prominence as the leader of Los Angeles’ Olympic bid. His advocacy played a significant role in securing the 2028 Summer Olympics for Los Angeles, marking the city’s third time hosting the Games following previous editions in 1932 and 1984. The 2028 Olympics will be the first Summer Games held in the United States since Atlanta in 1996.
The revelations come at a sensitive time for Olympic organizers, who are working to build momentum and secure sponsorships for the Los Angeles Games. Wasserman has been the public face of these efforts, leveraging his connections in both the sports and entertainment worlds to promote the Olympic project.
The Olympic movement itself has faced increased scrutiny in recent years over governance issues, host city selection processes, and various controversies. Los Angeles was awarded the 2028 Games as part of an unusual dual allocation that also gave Paris the 2024 Olympics, following a period when many potential host cities withdrew bids due to financial concerns and public opposition.
While the emails predate Maxwell’s conviction by nearly two decades, the association could potentially create unwanted controversy for the Olympic organizing committee as it navigates the complex preparations for the global sporting event.
The Epstein case has implicated numerous high-profile individuals across business, politics, and entertainment, with the government’s ongoing document releases continuing to reveal previously unknown connections to Epstein and Maxwell’s circle.
Wasserman divorced his wife of 20 years, Laura Ziffren Wasserman, in 2021.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
While the details in these new Epstein files are disturbing, I’m glad they are coming to light. The public deserves transparency about the web of connections between powerful individuals and Epstein’s criminal enterprise, even if it implicates prominent figures like Wasserman.
Well said. Shining a light on these issues, no matter how uncomfortable, is crucial for holding leaders and institutions accountable. The LA Olympics organizers need to address this scandal head-on if they want to maintain credibility.
While I’m glad the new Epstein files are being made public, the revelations about Wasserman’s communications with Maxwell are disappointing. The Olympics should be above such ethical scandals – this casts a shadow over the LA bid.
You make a fair point. The Olympics are supposed to be a celebration of international sportsmanship and unity. This unsavory connection to the Epstein saga is a major distraction that needs to be addressed head-on by the LA organizers.
The optics of these Epstein-related emails are not good for the LA Olympics organizers. Even if Wasserman had no direct dealings with Epstein, his chummy rapport with Maxwell is highly concerning and calls his leadership into question.
Absolutely. These types of relationships, however peripheral, undermine public trust in major institutions and events. Wasserman needs to be fully transparent about the extent of his ties to Epstein’s network.
Disturbing to see these kinds of exchanges between high-profile individuals and someone like Ghislaine Maxwell. Even if Wasserman’s interactions were limited, his flippant tone and failure to recognize the gravity of the situation is very concerning.
Agreed, the casual nature of the communications is particularly troubling. Wasserman should be held to a higher standard as a leader of such a prominent global event. This scandal could significantly undermine the credibility of the LA Olympics bid.
The exchanges between Wasserman and Maxwell are deeply concerning, even if they occurred long ago. Wasserman’s ‘regret’ rings hollow – he needs to provide a much more substantive explanation and accounting of his dealings with the Epstein network.
Agreed. Wasserman’s leadership of the LA Olympics bid is now called into serious question. The public deserves a thorough and transparent investigation into the full extent of his ties to Epstein and Maxwell.
The revelations about Wasserman’s emails with Maxwell are very troubling. Even if the interactions were limited, the optics are terrible and raise serious doubts about his judgment and suitability to lead the LA Olympics organizing effort.
Absolutely. These types of connections, no matter how tangential, can deeply erode public trust. Wasserman needs to provide a full accounting and explanation of his dealings with Maxwell and the Epstein network.
Yikes, this is a disturbing revelation about the connections between elite circles and Epstein’s sordid activities. Wasserman’s ‘regret’ rings hollow – he should be held accountable for his inappropriate communications with Maxwell, regardless of when they occurred.
Agreed. The fact that these types of exchanges were taking place is very troubling and raises serious questions about the ethics and judgment of those involved.