Los Angeles’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics are facing increased scrutiny following revelations linking the head of the city’s organizing committee, Casey Wasserman, to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The emergence of Wasserman’s name in recently unsealed court documents has prompted questions about his suitability to lead the Games, with some sponsors reportedly hesitant to associate their brands with him, according to The Modern York Times.
The U.S. Justice Department’s released files detail Wasserman’s travel on Epstein’s private plane in 2002 and reveal flirtatious email exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who was later convicted of sex trafficking. The Los Angeles organizing committee stated in February that it had reviewed Wasserman’s connection to Maxwell and he would remain in his position. However, calls for his resignation have persisted, including a direct appeal from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The controversy surrounding Wasserman comes as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) grapples with potential sponsor concerns. Sources within the IOC, as reported by The New York Times, suggest that sponsors may be reluctant to appear in photographs with Wasserman. This concern is particularly acute as Wasserman is expected to play a key role in securing financial commitments for the Games.
Adding to the challenges facing Wasserman is his recent decision to sell the talent agency he founded over two decades ago. Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez has as well called for Wasserman to step down, arguing that the scandal risks overshadowing the Olympics themselves.
The organizing committee declined an interview request from The New York Times, citing a lack of available personnel.
Beyond the questions surrounding Wasserman’s leadership, the Los Angeles Games face significant logistical hurdles. Concerns are mounting over the timely completion of planned transportation improvements. A project to connect Los Angeles International Airport to the city’s metro system, originally slated for completion in 2023, is now delayed until the latter half of 2026. In other words the system will not be operational in time for Los Angeles to host eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the U.S. National team’s opening game.
Organizers have pledged to host the Games without constructing new sporting venues, instead focusing investment on infrastructure projects that will benefit the city long after the event concludes. Twenty-eight transportation projects are planned, with one-third already completed and the remainder in various stages of development. Los Angeles officials recently visited northern Italy to observe the logistical challenges of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics across a large geographical area – 22,000 square kilometers, double the size of Los Angeles County.
The dispersed nature of competition venues is also presenting challenges, potentially requiring significant travel time for athletes and officials. In response, organizers are exploring the possibility of holding some events outside of the Los Angeles region, with canoe/kayak and softball already slated for Oklahoma City, and soccer matches to be played in six cities beyond the Los Angeles area.
