Congress Uncovers ‘Shadow Investigation,’ Plans to Subpoena Dan Snyder

WASHINGTON — House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney held up a stack of papers at the start of Wednesday’s Washington Commanders hearing that she said was a dossier of a “shadow investigation” conducted by Snyder’s legal team on alleged victims, witnesses, and journalists. 

Maloney, about 40 minutes into the hearing, said that the Oversight Committee will subpoena Snyder, who declined an invitation to testify.

Before the proceedings, the committee released a 29-page memo that summarized findings of its investigation into allegations the Commanders fostered a toxic work environment. 

The document alleged Snyder’s lawyers created a 100-slide PowerPoint presentation that included private emails, text messages, telephone records, and social media posts aimed to influence an outside NFL investigation.

Maloney said that the Oversight Committee requested the findings of that investigation led by former assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Wilkinson. That probe concluded last July with a $10 million fine of the Commanders, although no written report was generated. 

“The NFL and the Commanders have refused to produce [Wilkinson’s findings], while also withholding more than 40,000 documents collected in their internal review,” Maloney said. “This lack of transparency suggests that rather than protecting women, the NFL is hoping to sweep this controversy under the rug — just as powerful men like Dan Snyder have done for decades.”

Snyder cited a “long-standing Commanders-related business conflict” as to why he could not particapte in the hearing. Snyder is currently in France, where he owns a 305-foot yacht that is currently off the coast of Cannes. 

“Rather than show up and take responsibility for his actions, he chose to skip town,” Maloney said. “Apparently, Mr. Snyder is in France, where he has docked his luxury yacht near a resort town. That should tell you just how much respect he has for women in the workplace.”

Maloney said the committee would subpoena Snyder next week.

“Mr. Snyder’s refusal to testify sends a clear signal that he is more concerned about protecting himself than coming clean to the American public,” Maloney said. “If the NFL is unwilling to hold Mr. Snyder accountable, then I am prepared to do so,” Chairwoman Maloney said at today’s hearing. “The Committee will not be deterred in its investigation to uncover the truth of workplace misconduct at the Washington Commanders.”

A spokesperson for Snyder released the following statement before the hearing began: “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.”