Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman has issued an apology for exchanging flirtatious emails with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell more than two decades ago. The revelation comes after the US Department of Justice published a series of personal emails between Wasserman and Maxwell, which included messages from 2003.
Wasserman, who was married at the time, denied any personal or business relationship with late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whom Maxwell was dating before her arrest in 2020 on charges including sex trafficking of a minor. The emails published by the US Department of Justice showed Wasserman and Maxwell engaging in flirtatious exchanges, with no indication that they were aware of Epstein's crimes at the time.
Wasserman expressed regret over his correspondence with Maxwell, stating it took place before her and Epstein's crimes "came to light." However, he denied having any association with Epstein or Maxwell beyond their brief romantic relationship. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which works closely with Wasserman on preparing for the Summer Olympics, refused to comment on the matter.
The IOC President Kirsty Coventry said that while Wasserman had issued his statement, the committee had nothing further to add. She noted that past Olympics have been affected by controversy prior to their start, but expressed faith in the Olympic spirit and the ability of the Games to bring people together.
Wasserman is a sports and entertainment executive who has led the LA28 Olympic project from its inception. He currently serves as chairman of the organising committee, which is due to deliver a progress report to the IOC session on Tuesday. The 2028 Summer Olympics were awarded to Los Angeles in 2017.
Wasserman, who was married at the time, denied any personal or business relationship with late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whom Maxwell was dating before her arrest in 2020 on charges including sex trafficking of a minor. The emails published by the US Department of Justice showed Wasserman and Maxwell engaging in flirtatious exchanges, with no indication that they were aware of Epstein's crimes at the time.
Wasserman expressed regret over his correspondence with Maxwell, stating it took place before her and Epstein's crimes "came to light." However, he denied having any association with Epstein or Maxwell beyond their brief romantic relationship. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which works closely with Wasserman on preparing for the Summer Olympics, refused to comment on the matter.
The IOC President Kirsty Coventry said that while Wasserman had issued his statement, the committee had nothing further to add. She noted that past Olympics have been affected by controversy prior to their start, but expressed faith in the Olympic spirit and the ability of the Games to bring people together.
Wasserman is a sports and entertainment executive who has led the LA28 Olympic project from its inception. He currently serves as chairman of the organising committee, which is due to deliver a progress report to the IOC session on Tuesday. The 2028 Summer Olympics were awarded to Los Angeles in 2017.
I'm kinda shocked by this news... Wasserman's apology is probably a good start, but it's gonna take some serious work to regain trust with the public 
. The fact that he and Ghislaine Maxwell were flirting back then, without any idea about Epstein's crimes... that's just troubling 
. I mean, I get it, we've all been guilty of silly things in our youth, but this is a high-profile figure leading an Olympic committee, for crying out loud! 
He needs to be more transparent and honest about his past dealings 
. The IOC's silence on the matter doesn't help either... hope he can get some serious backing from them soon 
.
, can't believe this... Wasserman's apology feels so half-hearted. Like, two decades ago and now he just decides to own up to it? And what about his wife at the time? Did she know about these flirtatious emails too? 
The IOC is basically letting him off with a slap on the wrist. I mean, Kirsty Coventry's trying to spin this as "the Olympic spirit" but let's be real... 
Wasserman was in a relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell, who's got some serious red flags attached to her name. Not sure how much credibility he has now for leading the LA28 Olympics project 
I'm shocked, but not surprised, by this new info about Casey Wasserman's past. I mean, who hasn't made mistakes right? 
The thing that really gets me is how the IOC is handling it all. They're just like "oh, let's stay quiet and hope it goes away." 
Come on, guys! This is a major controversy! Wasserman was the head of the LA28 Olympics project from day one, and now we find out he had a thing with Ghislaine Maxwell? 
That's like having a chef with a secret ingredient that turns out to be a toxic chemical. 
You can't just sweep it under the rug!
Only time'll tell! 
now we all get 2 find out more about him lol...