The NFL will not release materials related to the Washington Football Team investigation to protect the confidentiality of some employees which the league ensured for their participation, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters in New York during the owners’ meetings.
Goodell believes withholding the findings is “the appropriate way to do it.”
DC high-powered attorney Beth Wilkinson investigated the toxic workplace culture of the Washington Football Team following dozens of accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct from former female employees.
The team was fined $10 million as a result of the investigation. There was no written report by Wilkinson. However, the findings were delivered verbally.
Earlier on Tuesday, two former Washington employees arrived at the hotel in which the owners’ meetings were being conducted. Melanie Coburn and Ana Nunez hand-delivered a letter addressed to the league’s social injustice working group. The letter, signed by 12 former Washington employees, urged team owners to release the findings of Washington’s investigation.
Following Goodell’s explanation to why the league is withholding the findings, Lisa Banka, the attorney of 40 women once employed by Washington, disputed the commissioner.
Goodell said the league looks forward to cooperating with the United States Congress’ oversight committee, who has called for the league to reveal the findings.
