**Lawsuit Filed Against USA Fencing Chair Over Allegations of Misconduct**
Two members of the USA Fencing board of directors have initiated a lawsuit against the remaining six members, claiming that chair Damien Lehfeldt made false statements during a congressional hearing on transgender athletes. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the plaintiffs, seeks to remove Lehfeldt from his position as chair.
The plaintiffs, Andrey Geva and Abdel Salem, are both well-established figures in the fencing community. Geva, a former U.S. National Coach, led the U.S. Women’s Épée Team at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and was elected to the board in 2024. Salem, who represented Egypt in the 1984 Summer Olympics, has also served as the head fencing coach for the U.S. Air Force Academy and was named the U.S. Olympic Committee Coach of the Year in 1996.
The lawsuit stems from allegations that Lehfeldt falsely announced Geva’s resignation from the board during a meeting on June 7, as well as other claims related to the May 7 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) hearing. This hearing was convened following a controversial incident involving fencer Stephanie Turner, who knelt in protest against a transgender competitor and faced disciplinary action from USA Fencing.
Lehfeldt was the sole representative to testify for the organization at the hearing, where the lawsuit claims he made “false and misleading claims” that could jeopardize USA Fencing’s status as a national governing body (NGB). The lawsuit states, “Defendant Lehfeldt’s non-cooperative demeanor in bad faith and untruthful and misleading statements at the congressional hearing on May 7, 2025, have prompted Congress to consider decertifying USFA as an NGB, thus potentially risking Team USA’s qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.”
Geva alleges that he attempted to speak at the hearing but faced threats intended to deter him. He submitted a letter to Senator Ted Cruz on May 2, expressing his views on the competitive advantages of biological men in women’s fencing. This letter was referenced during the DOGE hearing by subcommittee chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who quoted Geva’s concerns about transgender women competing in women’s events.
Following the hearing, Geva reportedly received messages from fellow board members blaming him for expressing his opinion, leading to calls for a special board meeting aimed at removing or disciplining him.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for USA Fencing and its governance structure remain significant, particularly in light of the ongoing debates surrounding transgender athletes in sports.
**FAQ**
**What is the lawsuit against USA Fencing about?**
The lawsuit involves allegations that USA Fencing chair Damien Lehfeldt made false statements during a congressional hearing regarding transgender athletes, leading to calls for his removal from the board.
