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Reynold Hoover, CEO of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, has publicly affirmed his full backing for Chair Casey Wasserman, stating his support remains steadfast despite heightened scrutiny following the recent release of US Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr Hoover’s comments mark his first on the matter since Mr Wasserman’s name appeared in the documents published late last month, and since the Mayor of Los Angeles called for his resignation.
The files revealed "flirty email exchanges" from over two decades ago between Mr Wasserman and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein.
"The board has taken their position - they support him and I support him," said Mr Hoover, a retired three-star US Army lieutenant general, speaking a day after the close of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Earlier this month, the LA28 board reaffirmed its support for Mr Wasserman after an external counsel review concluded his past association with Maxwell and the late convicted sex offender Epstein did not extend beyond what had already been publicly documented.
Mr Hoover pointed to the organisation's robust commercial performance, including record domestic sponsorship revenue and strong early ticket interest, as evidence of stability under its current leadership.
"We've got a great leadership team here at LA28," he said. "Just look at the results."
These results include the privately funded Games having exceeded $2 billion in commercial sponsorship revenue, Hoover said, bringing LA28 80% of the way toward its overall goal of $2.5 billion with more than two years still to go until the opening ceremony.
Mr Hoover added that public interest in volunteering for the Games has also been strong.
"We've exceeded all expectations, we've broken all Olympic records by any measure," he said. "If that doesn't give people confidence, I don't know what will."
Despite the controversy surrounding Mr Wasserman, Mr Hoover stated there has been no discussion of finding a replacement, no disruption to daily operations, and no concerns voiced by current or potential sponsors.
"I was at a meeting in Dallas with a potential sponsor - hopefully we'll get them signed up - and it wasn't even raised," he explained, adding that LA28 is soon to announce another top-level sponsor to join a list that includes Delta Air Lines, Honda, Google, Starbucks, Comcast, Intuit and management-consulting firm Korn Ferry. "No one is asking about it."
Those sponsors did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether they continue to support Mr Wasserman.
Mr Hoover, who joined LA28 nearly two years ago, described his relationship with LA Mayor Karen Bass as "great, very close" but admitted he was "a little surprised" when she suggested last week that Mr Wasserman should step down.
"Look, that's her opinion. But she also said that the LA28 board has taken a position and is supporting Casey, so there's nothing more to really be said on it," he commented.
Mr Hoover’s remarks are the first from an LA28 official since Mr Wasserman issued a statement late last month, expressing regret for his correspondence with Maxwell, which he said took place "long before her horrific crimes came to light."
Mr Wasserman maintained he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein.
Los Angeles City Council member Monica Rodriguez has criticised the LA28 board for backing Mr Wasserman and recently introduced a resolution in City Hall "reaffirming Los Angeles' commitment to the core values of the Olympic movement, including excellence, respect and integrity in leadership."
The offices of Mayor Bass and Ms Rodriguez did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Mr Hoover's latest remarks.
Mr Wasserman, 51, has dedicated over a decade to bringing the Games back to Southern California.
Mr Hoover affirmed their collective focus on delivering what he believes will be the largest and greatest Summer Games in history.
"Milan is over, we're up next, and we are going to show the world that we can unite people around sport like no other place in the world," he concluded.