New Epstein files spark Wasserman fallout and renew scrutiny of UCLA professor

Newly released Justice Department documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein have sparked a political fallout in Los Angeles, prompting calls this week for LA28 Olympics organizing committee chair Casey Wasserman to resign.

The latest batch of records, made public Friday, include references to Wasserman alongside further correspondence involving other prominent figures, adding to scrutiny of Epstein’s network of academic, political and civic connections. Several local officials, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn; Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez, Monica Rodriguez and Imelda Padilla; and state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach; called on Wasserman to step down after the release.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ office did not respond to requests for comment on the latest Epstein document release.

The same document release also includes additional correspondence between Epstein and Mark Tramo, an associate adjunct professor of neurology at UCLA, adding new details to previously reported exchanges that touched upon university courses, research and students.

Tramo’s name had surfaced in earlier releases of Epstein-related documents, but the newly released materials add detail to years of email exchanges between the two. The correspondence includes discussions of Tramo’s teaching at UCLA, his research interests at the intersection of neuroscience and music, and Epstein’s support for related academic work.

Appearing in the records does not imply criminal conduct, and Tramo has not been charged with any offense. UCLA did not respond to requests for comments on Tramo’s correspondence or whether the university is reviewing the matter. Tramo did not respond to requests for comment.

In one email dated back to 2012, Tramo thanked Epstein for supporting the Institute for Music & Brain Science, a research organization Tramo founded and directs. Tramo wrote that Epstein’s backing had helped fund legal work to relocate the institute to California, supported international conference travel and speaking engagements, and contributed to the publication of neuroscience research.

The documents also include emails in which Tramo forwarded messages from students seeking research guidance to Epstein. In one exchange, Epstein responded by asking whether either of the students were “cute,” to which Tramo replied, “we’ll see! (you’re terrible!).”

Other emails reflect a personal tone between the two men, including discussions of scientific studies Tramo was reading at the time, and plans to meet in person.

Earlier reporting has highlighted additional aspects of the relationship. Bloomberg reported that when Epstein was preparing to plead guilty in 2008 to charges of solicitation of prostitution, including solicitation of a minor, Tramo wrote in an email expressing loyalty to Epstein, saying that “boys from The Bronx … know all about cops, and stay true to their friends through thick and thin.”

The revelation has also prompted reaction among some UCLA students and alumni. An online petition calling for Tramo’s removal, launched three days ago, had gathered nearly 600 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

Tramo was listed as Wednesday as an associate adjunct professor of neurology at UCLA on the website of the university’s Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology. He is also listed as a physician specializing in neurology with Los Robles Regional Medical Center. However, a spokesperson for Los Robles Health System said in a statement Wednesday that Tramo “is not employed by Los Robles Health System and has not seen a patient here for almost two years.”

The renewed attention comes as the Justice Department completed the release of a massive trove of records connected to Epstein, who died in 2019 while facing federal sex-trafficking charges. The latest disclosure includes more than 3 million pages of materials, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, some of which reference prominent figures in politics, academia and business.

President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law last November, compelling the Justice Department to make a majority of Epstein-related records public.