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LA mayor, 2 WeHo council members mount pressure for Wasserman to resign from LA28
VOL. 17, 15,
Monrovia State of the City: 'Better together' theme unifies remarks on challenges, accomplishments By Joe Taglieri
By Jose Herrera, City News Service
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wo West Hollywood City Council members said Tuesday they plan to introduce a resolution next month urging Casey Wasserman to resign as chairman of the Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee amid ongoing controversy over his past communications with Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Council members Chelsea Lee Byers and John Erickson joined a growing list of Democratic elected officials in Southern California calling for Wasserman's removal from a leadership role in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their remarks came a day after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass broke her silence on the issue, saying that while she can't fire Wasserman, he should step down. Speaking at a news conference at West Hollywood Park, the council members said they intend to introduce a resolution March 2 calling on Wasserman to resign and urging the LA28 executive board to hold him accountable. If approved, the measure would make West Hollywood the first city to formally take a
Casey Wasserman. | Photo courtesy of the White House/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
position on the issue, according to Erickson. The council members said the resolution is also intended to signal support for survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence. "Casey Wasserman must resign, and I call upon every elected leader in Los Angeles County and across this nation because that's what it's going to take for him to resign,"
Erickson said. "West Hollywood will lead the way." Byers, who was mayor of West Hollywood in 2025, said the city has consistently stood with survivors and called for accountability from people in positions of power. With the city expected to host activations and events for the 2028 Games, Byers See Wasserman Page 14
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joet@beaconmedianews.com said "we refuse to look the other way while the Games are fronted by a chair whose own emails with a convicted trafficker are now a part of the public record." "The LA28 Board's secretive review may satisfy lawyers, but it does nothing for those in our community who want to know that this region is not promoting the old boys club of impunity as we watch the Winter Olympics Games now and hear the stories of dedication and commitment and resilience of athletes, their coaches and families," Byers said. "We should all care deeply that our own Olympic Games here in Los Angeles would risk the distraction, at the very least, of Wasserman's mired history competing for air time over what that stage is truly meant for," Byers continued. Joining Byers and Erickson were representatives from organizations that advocate for survivors of sexual violence. Samantha Maloney — a professional drummer who has performed with bands including Shift, Hole and
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onrovia city officials delivered annually remarks at the State of the City event Tuesday, promoting citywide unity while noting the past year's accomplishments and ongoing challenges. Key areas of concern were the Monrovia Unified School District's financial crisis caused by rising costs and declining enrollment, issues related to housing, homelessness and mental health care access and local small businesses and residents alike struggling to keep up with inflation. Officials also noted the impacts that state and federal policies have on cities, such as the destabilizing effects of trade wars and aggressive federal immigration enforcement. Officials touted a wide range of accomplishments over the past year, including park and infrastructure upgrades, the municipal government's strong financial position and various efforts to address the list of challenges and concerns. "What makes, and will always make Monrovia
special are the people," Mayor Becky Shevlin told attendees Tuesday evening at the at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center. "Our community members — your time, your effort and your passion — make our city a place where everyone belongs. Recently, I love Barbara Gholar’s invocation ... 'Unity does not mean sameness.' That message is echoed by (Councilman Larry Spicer’s) comments of 'better together,' which bring us to where we are today. "We’re not perfect, but together. ... From this perspective we understand that unity embraces diversity, it fosters collaboration while respecting individual differences and encourages understanding, unity strengthens communities by bringing together our many strengths and ideas, and again, working together to make a difference." Shevlin and fellow council members, along with Treasurer Janet Wall and City Clerk Alice Atkins, delivered remarks on a wide range of city issues.
See Monrovia State of the City Page 15