Dan Snyder and the Commanders remain embroiled in multiple ongoing investigations into the team's practices and day-to-day operations.
That includes a Wednesday congressional hearing into allegations of sexual harassment and toxic workplace practices present in the franchise, with allegations dating back 20 years.
The Commanders' numerous controversies place the team in a precarious situation, with questions arising of whether the team will remain under Snyder's control and to what extent the team will be sanctioned following release of findings, not only by the NFL, but also potentially Congress.
The Sporting News breaks down what you need to know about the ongoing proceedings, including why Washington is currently under investigation, Dan Snyder's role in the controversies, testimony by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and more:
MORE: Roger Goodell says NFL won't release investigation report, Dan Snyder has been 'held accountable'
Why is Congress investigating the Commanders?
Congress is probing allegations of a toxic workplace environment present in the Commanders football team — especially for women — by 40 former employees over the course of 20 years. The Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins and the Washington Football Team, have been owned by Snyder since 1999.
Congress has also requested documents from the NFL's own investigation into the toxic workplace environment in Washington; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has declined to release the full findings from the probe, which was conducted on behalf of the league by D.C.-based attorney Beth Wilkinson.
As a result of the findings, the NFL fined Washington $10 million and banned Snyder from day-to-day operations. Snyder's wife, Tanya Snyder, has taken over running the team in his stead.
A February allegation by former Commanders cheerleader and marketing manager Tiffani Johnston has sparked another NFL investigation into the team's workplace environment, this time led by Mary Jo White. (White, who conducted a similar workplace misconduct investigation into former Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, will also review allegations of financial misconduct by the team.)
Johnston accused Snyder of inappropriately touching her at a work dinner event, eventually placing his arm around her and inviting her into his limo. Snyder reportedly only stopped after his attorney told him it was a "bad idea."
Congress is also reportedly investigating financial impropriety by the team — a separate investigation from the issues of a toxic workplace or the NFL's White-led investigation into the team's financial practices.
Congressional findings in Commanders investigation
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Wednesday released its findings into an eight-month investigation into the Commanders' workplace.
That included a 29-page memo detailing how Snyder conducted a "shadow investigation" that aimed to discredit former employees who alleged a toxic workplace environment. The findings also said Snyder hired private investigators to intimidate witnesses and used an overseas lawsuit to obtain phone calls and emails of people even tangentially related to the investigation.
The memo details how Snyder's attorneys presented the NFL with a 100-slide PowerPoint presentation. Said presentation reportedly included "private text messages, emails, phone logs and call transcripts, and social media posts from nearly 50 individuals who Mr. Snyder apparently believed were involved in a conspiracy to disparage him."
The findings also alleged the NFL did not act independently from the Commanders when conducting an investigation into the team.
Moreover, The Washington Post on Tuesday released details surrounding a 2009 sexual assault allegation against Snyder by a former employee, separate from the allegations by Johnston. The other, unnamed employee accused Snyder of harassing her on a team plane in 2009, with Snyder eventually settling for $1.6 million out of court to ensure she wouldn't sue the team or publicly disclose her allegations against Snyder.
The Post had previously reported about the alleged sexual assault in December 2020, but discovered new details surrounding the incident via letter from Howard Shapiro, an attorney working for the team. Shapiro's letter details how the woman claimed Snyder asked her for sex in the private part of a team plane as it returned from a trip to Las Vegas.
MORE: Congress' allegations against Commanders, explained
Did Dan Snyder testify before Congress?
Snyder did not testify before Congress on Wednesday, declining an invitation from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Snyder's attorney, Karen Patton Seymour, sent a letter to the committee on June 15, citing ongoing business in France and lack of assurances about the scope of questioning (as the Commanders are also being investigated for financial impropriety).
“Mr. Snyder remains fully willing to assist the committee in its investigation,” Seymour wrote in the letter addressed to Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi, chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy (D-Ill.).
“Although the committee indicated that the hearing would be ‘focused on’ the historical workplace culture issues, I was informed that the committee would not provide any assurance that the questions directed to Mr. Snyder would be limited to those issues, given the wide latitude granted to members to ask questions beyond the topics identified by the committee,” she wrote.
The committee on Friday found no valid reason for Snyder not to testify before Congress, and again issued an invitation. Snyder again declined.
Will Congress subpoena Dan Snyder?
Maloney on Wednesday announced her intent to subpoena Snyder to compel him to appear before Congress.
"If the NFL is unwilling to hold Mr. Snyder accountable, then I am prepared to do so," Maloney said. "The Committee will not be deterred in its investigation to uncover the truth of workplace misconduct at the Washington Commanders."
NFL owner Dan Snyder to receive a subpoena by the U.S. House of Representatives panel for a committee deposition after he refused to testify at a hearing about the workplace culture at the Commanders https://t.co/BMIbKPSLV8 pic.twitter.com/MOdui6Grpz
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 23, 2022
Roger Goodell congressional testimony
Goodell appeared remotely before Congress on Wednesday, answering multiple questions from the committee both on the Commanders and the league's policy at large.
Goodell, in an opening statement to Congress, acknowledged the Wilkinson investigation revealed an "unacceptable" workplace environment in Washington:
"It is clear to me that the workplace in Washington was unprofessional and unacceptable in numerous respects: bullying, widespread disrespect toward colleagues, use of demeaning language, public embarrassment and harassment,” Goodell, who has held the league’s commissioner position since 2007, said in his opening statement at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Wednesday. “Moreover, for a prolonged period of time the Commanders had a woefully deficient HR function, particularly with respect to reporting practices and recordkeeping."
Goodell said the NFL did not receive a written report of Wilkinson's findings. He claimed protecting the anonymity of employees who participated in the investigation was paramount, though the league could produce a written summary to Congress.
"For this reason, shortly after we assumed oversight of Ms. Wilkinson's work, we determined that a comprehensive oral briefing would best allow us to receive the information necessary both to evaluate the workplace as it was, and to ensure that the team put in place the policies and processes to reform that workplace," Goodell said, "all while preserving the confidentiality of those who participated in the investigation."
Below are notes from Goodell's testimony regarding the Commanders:
- Goodell, when asked whether he would remove Snyder as owner of the Commanders, said he did not have the authority to do so; he told reporters in February it would take a 75 percent vote from NFL owners to oust Snyder, though he can recommend such a vote.
- Goodell claimed not to recall Snyder informing him of a 2009 sexual assault allegation made against him by a former female employee (new details of which were released on Tuesday by The Washington Post). Such an oversight, Goodell said, is a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
- Goodell, asked to comment on the committee's findings that Snyder conducted a "shadow investigation" regarding the workplace culture, said such an action would be "inappropriate and absolutely wrong." Goodell also said the NFL told the Commanders not to investigate on their own following the league taking over the investigation in August 2020.
- Goodell claimed Snyder "to the best of my knowledge" has not been involved with day-to-day operations of the team, a major point in the NFL's punishment of the team regarding its toxic workplace.
Response from Snyder, Commanders, Ron Rivera
Dan and Tanya Snyder sent a memo to team employees Wednesday claiming the congressional hearing was a "politically charged show trial" and saying it was focused on issues that have since been addressed by the team.
From Adam Schefter:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 22, 2022
A spokesperson for Snyder also released a statement, via The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala, claiming the committee's findings were "predetermined."
It is clear the outcome of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the Washington Commanders was predetermined from the beginning. The committee’s decision to release a ‘report’ and introduce legislation prior to the hearing is proof-positive this was always going to be little more than a politically charged show trial, not about uncovering the truth. Hopefully, the committee will utilize its resources going forward for more pressing national matters, instead of an issue a football team addressed years ago.
Ron Rivera wants to 'clarify a few things'
Commanders coach Ron Rivera also issued a statement following Wednesday's hearings, saying whatever issues the committee uncovered occurred before he came aboard in 2020. He also said the team had already placed into effect suggestions from the Wilkinson after it concluded in spring 2021:
Wanted to share my thoughts. @Commanders @whoisjwright @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/EsWrdrNYWh
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) June 23, 2022
The Sporting News will continue to update this story as developments unfold.
