House Oversight Committee member Eleanor Holmes Norton told Front Office Sports that Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder came off as “largely truthful” during the time she observed Thursday’s deposition that stretched nearly 11 hours.
Congresswoman Norton (D-D.C.) said she observed about an hour, and she has yet to see a full transcript of the deposition. But Holmes said it was “important to hear his rendition of what happened” as it related to the toxic workplace allegations that have been the focus of the Oversight Committee’s investigation.
“He didn’t seem like he was trying to hide something during the time I was listening to the deposition,” said Norton. “There were times when he said he didn’t remember things.”
After the deposition Thursday, a source with knowledge of the contents of deposition told Front Office Sports that parts of the proceedings became “intense.”
Snyder missed last month’s hearing that left NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as the only witness. For weeks, Snyder’s lawyer and the Oversight Committee argued over terms of the deposition.
Snyder appeared remotely for the deposition and, while under oath, he testified voluntarily.
Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney wrote in a letter to Snyder’s legal team that a subpoena — which was authorized on June 24, but not served as Snyder remained outside the U.S. — was “to ensure that Mr. Snyder’s testimony will be full and complete and will not be restricted.”
“What he did was finally give up [fighting the Oversight Committee],” Norton said. “I didn’t expect it would be an all-day, 11-hour deposition. I heard some of the Democratic staff and some of the Republican staff [questions], and frankly, they were asking similar questions.
“We heard from women who were the targets of the misconduct, but it was really necessary to hear from Snyder himself.”
Norton said that the deposition likely means the committee’s investigation is nearing a conclusion.
“I don’t know how much more there is to learn,” Norton said. “After hearing from him, now we have to decide what, if anything, to do next.”
The Oversight Committee’s most notable action since the investigation launched in October was when it sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission in April that alleged “troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct.”
Norton said a referral to the Department of Justice “could happen.”
Norton noted that even if Snyder doesn’t face any consequences from the committee, Snyder is “still in a lot of trouble” when it comes to his quest for a new stadium.
“He doesn’t have a real home,” Norton quipped.
Norton said Maloney hasn’t given a timeframe on when the transcript would be released to the public.
