LOS ANGELES, United States, April 16, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee board of directors is "closely monitoring the impact" of concerns over LA28 chief Casey Wasserman but is happy to work with current 2028 Los Angeles Games organizers, USOPC chair Gene Sykes said Wednesday.

Wasserman has faced calls to resign since his name appeared in files from the investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that were released in January.

In February, Wasserman said that he would sell the vast sports and entertainment agency that he founded because of backlash over the racy emails he exchanged with Epstein's girlfriend and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell two decades ago.

Sykes said the USOPC's board of directors discussed the matter at their scheduled meeting on Wednesday and have heard concerns from a variety of stakeholders.

"We take the concerns very seriously," Sykes said. "We're stewards of the Olympic and Paralympic movement in the United States, and we're committed to upholding and consistently demonstrating its values.

"We've actively engaged and listened to our stakeholders, including athletes, and we're closely monitoring the impact on our community."

Sykes said the USOPC board had shared its concerns with the board of LA28, noting that it was the local organizing committee board "which is responsible for determining who serves as its chair."

In February, the LA28 executive committee backed Wasserman, who has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing in the scandal.

He said in an apology that his exchange with Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking underage girls for Epstein, took place before her crimes came to light.

Sykes said that the USOPC remains impressed with the "measurable progress" Los Angeles organizers are making in building corporate partnerships and boosting community and athlete engagement.

"The ongoing committee is executing effectively and we're very happy to work with them," Sykes said.