Casey Wasserman told reporters Wednesday he has no intention of stepping down as chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics despite Mayor Karen Bass urging his resignation after his name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. When asked if he had considered leaving, Wasserman answered a terse “No and yes,” confirming he has spoken with Bass since her February comments.

The controversy stems from Justice Department documents showing Wasserman exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003, years before Maxwell’s alleged role in Epstein’s abuse network. Wasserman issued a January statement expressing regret, emphasizing the correspondence occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.” LA28 commissioned an external legal review, which cleared him and affirmed his continued leadership.

Wasserman stressed his weekly talks with the mayor remain “thoughtful and productive,” focused on delivering a secure Games. He noted LA28’s coordination with the State Department on visa issues and highlighted the Olympics’ designation as a national special security event, giving the FBI a lead role—contrasting with the upcoming World Cup’s limited security framework. The committee will proceed regardless of the mayoral race outcome.