The House Oversight Committee found Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder conducted a “shadow investigation” to discredit employees claims of harassment and sexual misconduct amid the NFL’s probe into the team that started in July 2020. Snyder also sought after information on former team president Bruce Allen to portray him as the source of the team’s toxic workplace culture, according to a memo Committee chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sent to other Committee members (h/t Liz Clarke of the Washington Post).
The Committee obtained information from various sources. Former Commanders chief operating officer David Pauken testified to the Committee that Snyder refused to take action after he learned a member of the team’s coaching staff groped a public relations employee. Snyder then instructed the victim to “stay away from the coach,” according to the memo.
Additionally, Snyder fired female employees who engaged in consensual relationships with male members of the team’s football operations. Pauken testified in one instance a male employee was restricted from having sex with other cheerleaders. But there were no other repercussions.
Washington’s culture included “glorified drinking and womanizing.”
Employees were afraid to speak because they’d see so many others lose their jobs.
On Tuesday, the Washington post reported a woman accused Dan Snyder of sexually assaulting her on a team plane in 2009. She later received a $1.6 million confidential settlement.
The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on the Commanders’ workplace culture on Wednesday. Snyder declined an invitation to appear at the hearing. His lawyer cited Snyder will be out of the country for business matters.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did appear virtually. The Committee extended a second invitation to Snyder to appear virtually, but he declined that as well. Snyder’s absence avoid a hardline of questions from Congress.
