<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1655581718651,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000179-379a-dbb2-a7fd-bfda8bfc0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1655581718651,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000179-379a-dbb2-a7fd-bfda8bfc0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_55581714", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1035212"} }); ","_id":"00000181-785c-ddb6-a5eb-787d338a0000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedThe House Oversight Committee is urging Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder to reconsider testifying before lawmakers, offering accommodations to allow him to appear virtually and provide documents that will be used in the hearing.
The committee is set to hold its hearing Wednesday regarding allegations of a toxic work environment perpetuated by Snyder and other Commanders executives and will feature testimony from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) fired back after Snyder refused to appear for the hearing, offering a point-by-point rebuttal of the owner’s complaints.
“I write today to address certain mischaracterizations and demands in your letter and to offer additional accommodations to address concerns that you raised,” Maloney wrote in a six-page letter to Snyder. “In light of these accommodations and the importance of Mr. Snyder’s testimony, I urge Mr. Snyder to reconsider his decision to decline public testimony and by doing so refusing to accept accountability for his actions and the culture he has fostered within his team.”
HOUSE REQUESTS COMMANDERS OWNER’S TESTIMONY OVER ALLEGED HOSTILE WORKPLACE
The House committee requested Snyder to appear alongside Goodell to offer testimony regarding allegations that the Commanders maintain a toxic workplace and that the NFL hasn’t addressed these concerns. Goodell is expected to appear virtually Wednesday.
In response to Snyder’s refusal, in which he requested a delay so he could have more time to prepare and view key documents in advance, Maloney detailed several accommodations to convince him to testify. The committee agreed to allow Snyder to appear virtually, as the NFL team owner plans to be out of the country for an awards ceremony in France.
Lawmakers will also allow Snyder to view documents provided by the NFL that will be used to ask questions during his testimony, offering an unusual incentive to secure his “voluntary participation.”
However, the committee rejected some of Snyder’s other requests it found to be “highly unusual and inappropriate,” such as revealing the identities of potential witnesses, the details of allegations that were made against the team, and access to other internal investigative materials.
“Mr. Snyder’s refusal to testify at the June 22 hearing would be inconsistent with his repeated commitments to cooperate with the Committee and cast doubt on your assertion that the Commanders are now ‘a model of how to make extraordinary improvements in workplace culture,’” Maloney wrote.
It’s not yet clear whether Snyder will agree to appear for testimony next week, and a spokesperson for the owner said his lawyers would respond directly to the committee. Snyder has until Monday to give an answer.
The monthslong investigation into allegations that the Commanders’ workplace tolerated misconduct against its employees was opened following a roundtable on Feb. 3, when several former employees detailed sexual harassment, abuse, and other workplace misconduct by top team officials, including Snyder.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The hearing will examine how the NFL handled allegations of sexual misconduct, the league’s role in establishing and enforcing standards for teams, and what legislative reforms are needed to address the problems.
Snyder was fined $10 million by the NFL last year on charges that he maintained an unwelcome workplace.
