Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder got his wish, sort of. The House Oversight Committee accepted Snyder’s request to testify before Congress on July 28 remotely. However, the Committee wants his testimony under a subpoena.
Committee chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) wrote a letter Tuesday to Snyder’s attorney, Karen Patton Seymour, that the Committee is accepting his offer to testify on July 28 only under a subpoena. Snyder’s attorney has until noon Wednesday to respond to the Committee’s letter.
Snyder offered to testify voluntarily, not under a subpoena.
Additionally, the Committee is prepared to give Snyder “access to the exhibits used in prior Committee depositions and transcribed interviews of other witnesses in advance of his deposition.”
There’s an importance in the differences. If Snyder is under a subpoena, he must answer the question posed to him. If it’s voluntary and not under a subpoena, Snyder does not have to answer any question posed, David Rapallo — former Democratic staff director for the House Oversight Committee — previously explained to ESPN’s John Keim.
A spokesperson for Snyder responded Tuesday to the Committee’s letter.
“Mr. Snyder’s attorneys are reviewing the Committee’s letter to determine if their due process concerns, including the circumstances of Mr. Snyder’s appearance, have adequately been addressed.”
Snyder declined an invitation to testify during the Committee’s June 22 hearing into the Commanders workplace culture. The congressional investigation stems from allegations of sexual assault and harassment from former employees. Instead NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell along with other former Commanders’ employees voluntarily provided testimony.
Maloney stated her intentions to serve Snyder with a subpoena. However, Snyder and his attorney has not accepted the subpoena.
Snyder’s attorney wrote a letter last week to the Committee offering the Commanders owner’s testimony on July 28 or 29 remotely. According to his attorney, Snyder is out of the country in Israel for much of July to recognize the passing of his mother a year ago.
Congress is in session until July 29 before going to recess in August.
